, pl. carunculae [TA] (1) [TA], SYN: caruncle. (2) In ungulates, one of about 200 specific disclike areas of the uterine endometrium that, in conjunction with the fetal cotyledon, forms a placentome of the placenta; as a site of fetal-maternal contact, the caruncula remains constant in position but enlarges greatly during pregnancy. [L. a small fleshy mass, fr. caro, flesh]
