Definition of Vallecula

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Vallecula: An anatomic term for a crevice, furrow or depression. There are a variety of valleculae including one in the brain, another in the nail matrix, etc. However, used alone, the term "vallecula" usually applies to the epiglottic vallecula, a depression just behind the root of the tongue between the folds in the throat.

"Vallecula" is the diminutive of the Latin "valles", valley so that a vallecula is literally a little valley.