vitell(i)- Also vitello-.
The yolk of an egg.
[Latin vitellus, yolk.]
In medicine and zoology, the vitellus (plural vitelli) is the yolk of an egg or ovum; the adjective relating to the yolk is vitelline (as in the vitelline membrane, a transparent membrane surrounding and secreted by the fertilized ovum, preventing the entry of further spermatozoa); vitellogenin is a protein present in the blood, from which the substance of egg yolk is derived; vitellin is a protein found in the yolks of eggs; vitellogenesis is the formation of yolk.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.