apophysis

a·poph·y·sis  (-pf-ss)

n. pl. a·poph·y·ses (-sz)

1. Anatomy A natural swelling, projection, or outgrowth of an organ or part, such as the process of a vertebra.

2. Geology A branch from a dike or vein.

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[New Latin, from Greek apophusis, from apophuein, to send out branches : apo-, apo- + phuein, to grow; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

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a·pophy·sate (-st), a·pophy·seal (-sl) adj.

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apophysis [əˈpɒfɪsɪs]

n pl -ses [-ˌsiːz]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) a process, outgrowth, or swelling from part of an animal or plant

2. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) Geology a tapering offshoot from a larger igneous intrusive mass

[via New Latin from Greek apophusis a sideshoot, from apo- + phusis growth]

apophysate  [əˈpɒfɪsɪt -seɪt] adj

apophysial  [ˌæpəˈfɪzɪəl] adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	apophysis - (botany) a natural swelling or enlargement: at the base of the stalk or seta in certain mosses or on the cone scale of certain conifers phytology, botany - the branch of biology that studies plants plant process, enation - a natural projection or outgrowth from a plant body or organ
	2.	apophysis - (anatomy) a natural outgrowth or projection on an organ or body part such as the process of a vertebra vertebra - one of the bony segments of the spinal column appendage, outgrowth, process - a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; "a bony process" anatomy, general anatomy - the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals