Vacuole

Dictionary of Biological Psychology

(from French, vacuole: a little vacuum) A vacuole is a small sac or cavity within a CELL. In plants vacuoles are subcellular elements containing a variety of chemicals with important functions relating to growth, development and reproduction.

But if one describes vacuoles in animal tissues one will not be describing the same thing as plant vacuoles. Instead, the formation of vacuoles—fluid-filled inclusions—in brains may be evidence of a disease process at work. Vacuolization describes the formation of vacuoles.