Vallecula is an anatomic term for a crevice, depression, or furrow in something.Vallecula
at eMedicine Dictionary There are a variety of valleculae in the

human body The human body is the structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the life, viabi ...

, including one between the hemispheres of the

brain A brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It is located in the head, usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision. It is the most complex organ in a v ...

, on the inferior surface of the

cerebellum The cerebellum (Latin for "little brain") is a major feature of the hindbrain of all vertebrates. Although usually smaller than the cerebrum, in some animals such as the mormyrid fishes it may be as large as or even larger. In humans, the cerebel ...

, in which the

medulla oblongata The medulla oblongata or simply medulla is a long stem-like structure which makes up the lower part of the brainstem. It is anterior and partially inferior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped neuronal mass responsible for autonomic (involun ...

is located (

vallecula of cerebellum On the inferior aspect of cerebellum, the vermis protrudes above the level of the hemispheres, but on the inferior surface it is sunk almost out of sight in the bottom of a deep depression between them; this depression is called the vallecula of th ...

). Other common valleculae are: in the nail matrix, and in the throat. Used alone, the term "vallecula" usually refers to the

epiglottic vallecula The epiglottic valleculae are paired spaces between the root of the tongue and anterior surface of the epiglottis. Each vallecula is bordered medially by the median glossoepiglottic fold and laterally by the lateral glossoepiglottic fold. The vall ...

. "Vallecula" comes from the Latin word ', meaning "valley", and is in the diminutive form of the word, so a vallecula is literally a "little valley".

References

{{reflist Human head and neck