columella Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small column (or structure resembling a column) that is a part of a plant or animal

WordNet

Col`u*mel"la noun
Etymology
L., dim. of columen column. See Column.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) (a) An axis to which a carpel of a compound pistil may be attached, as in the case of the geranium; or which is left when a pod opens. (b) A columnlike axis in the capsule of mosses.
  2. (Anat.) A term applied to various columnlike parts; as, the columnella, or epipterygoid bone, in the skull of many lizards; the columella of the ear, the bony or cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear.
  3. (Zoöl.) (a) The upright pillar in the axis of most univalve shells. (b) The central pillar or axis of the calicles of certain corals.

Webster 1913