ˈpēˌdəŋkəl, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin pedunculus, diminutive of Latin ped-, pes
1.
a. : a stalk that bears a flower or a flower cluster — see pedicel 1b
b. : the stalk supporting the fructification in some thallophytes
2. : a narrow part by which some larger part or the whole body of an organism is attached (as the footstalk of a brachiopod or the petiole joining the abdomen of an ant or wasp to the thorax) : stem , stalk , pedicel , pedicle — see barnacle illustration
3. : a band of white matter joining different parts of the brain
the peduncles of the pineal body pass from its base to the pillars of the fornix
— see cerebellar peduncle , cerebral peduncle
4. : a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached to an organ