MEDULLARY RAY Meaning and
Definition
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Medullary ray refers to a specialized tissue that is found in the stem of woody plants. It consists of a series of thin, radially-arranged cells that extend from the center of the stem or the pith to the outer edge, traversing through the secondary xylem and phloem. Medullary rays can also be found in the roots and branches of woody plants.
The primary function of medullary rays is to transport various substances horizontally within the stem. They act as conduits for the lateral movement of water, nutrients, and hormones, allowing them to be distributed efficiently across the plant. In addition, medullary rays also play a crucial role in storage and support.
Medullary rays can vary in width, ranging from a few cells wide to several millimeters wide, depending on the plant species. They often appear as radial lines or rays in cross-sections of the stem, giving rise to their name. These rays can be visually distinguished from other tissues due to their different cell structure and organization.
The presence and size of medullary rays can also have implications for wood quality and appearance. In some hardwoods, medullary rays can be quite prominent and contribute to the grain pattern and figure of the wood. They can provide a unique aesthetic aspect to the timber, especially when it is quarter-sawn or used in decorative woodworking.
Common Misspellings for MEDULLARY RAY
- nedullary ray
- kedullary ray
- jedullary ray
- mwdullary ray
- msdullary ray
- mddullary ray
- mrdullary ray
- m4dullary ray
- m3dullary ray
- mesullary ray
- mexullary ray
- mecullary ray
- mefullary ray
- merullary ray
- meeullary ray
- medyllary ray
- medhllary ray
- medjllary ray
- medillary ray
Etymology of MEDULLARY RAY
The word "medullary ray" has its etymology derived from the Latin word "medulla", meaning "marrow". The term "ray" is derived from the Old French word "rai", which means "beam" or "ray of light". These two words combined create "medullary ray", which refers to the radial structures found in the wood of certain trees that appear similar to rays of light.
Similar spelling words for MEDULLARY RAY
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