MILK CORPUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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A milk corpuscle refers to a microscopic structure or particle found in milk, specifically in the form of small fatty globules suspended in the liquid. These globules, also known as milk fat globules, are essentially membrane-bound droplets of fat constituting the fatty component of milk. Milk corpuscles contribute to the characteristic appearance and texture of milk, giving it a cloudy or opaque appearance due to light scattering.
Composed primarily of triglycerides, milk corpuscles also contain other lipids, proteins, and minor constituents, encased within a thin membrane, which is rich in phospholipids and cholesterol. The size, number, and distribution of milk corpuscles can vary depending on various factors such as the type of animal, diet, lactation stage, and processing methods.
Milk corpuscles play a crucial role in the composition and nutritional properties of milk. They are responsible for the emulsion of fat in milk, aiding digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The presence and proper distribution of milk corpuscles are essential in determining desirable milk properties, including viscosity, creaming ability, and stability.
The study and quantification of milk corpuscles are of significance in the dairy industry, particularly in understanding milk quality, the efficiency of milk processing, and the production of dairy products. Techniques such as microscopy, ultracentrifugation, and spectrophotometry are commonly employed to assess the size, distribution, and behavior of milk corpuscles for research and quality control purposes.
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One of the fat droplets in milk.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MILK CORPUSCLE
- nilk corpuscle
- kilk corpuscle
- jilk corpuscle
- mulk corpuscle
- mjlk corpuscle
- mklk corpuscle
- molk corpuscle
- m9lk corpuscle
- m8lk corpuscle
- mikk corpuscle
- mipk corpuscle
- miok corpuscle
- milj corpuscle
- milm corpuscle
- mill corpuscle
- milo corpuscle
- mili corpuscle
- milk xorpuscle
- milk vorpuscle
- milk forpuscle
Etymology of MILK CORPUSCLE
The term "milk corpuscle" is derived from the combination of the words "milk" and "corpuscle".
The word "milk" can be traced back to the Old English "meoluc" and Old High German "miluh", which ultimately have their roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂melǵ-" meaning "to milk, to suckle". This root also gave rise to related words in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin "lac" and Greek "galaktos", both meaning "milk".
The word "corpuscle" originated from the Latin "corpusculum", which means "particle" or "small body". It is also derived from the Latin word "corpus", meaning "body".
