Anat. Pl. valvulæ. [med. or mod.L., dim. of valva VALVE sb. Cf. L. valvolæ pod of legumes.] A valve or valvule.

1

  Usually with Latin qualifying term, as valvula coli, valvulæ conniventes.

2

1615.  H. Crooke, Body of Man (1631), 853. Some men had rather call them [sc. valves in the veins of the joints] Ostiolæ than Valuulæ.

3

1653.  More, Antid. Ath., II. xii. § 6. You may add to these the notable contrivance of the Heart, its two Ventricles and its many Valvulae.

4

1832.  [see VALVE sb.1 3 b].

5

1859.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., V. 346/2. Opposite the attached border of the valvula, this layer is somewhat thick.

6