1. A little,
fleshy protuberance, or any structure suggesting such a shape.
Synonym: caruncle.
2. In ungulates, one of about 200
specific disklike areas of the
uterine endometrium that, in conjunction with the
foetal cotyledon, forms a placentome of the placenta; as a
site of foetal-maternal contact, the
caruncula remains
constant in position
but enlarges greatly in
size during pregnancy.
Origin: L. A
little fleshy mass, fr. Caro, flesh