Ampulla Health Dictionary

An enlarged, flask-shaped area at the end of a tubular structure or canal. There are several ampullae in the body, including at the end of the fallopian tubes, at the opening of the bile duct into the intestine, and on each of the semicircular canals of the inner ear.

n. (pl. ampullae) an enlarged or dilated ending of a tube or canal. The semicircular canals of the inner ear are expanded into ampullae at the point where they join the vestibule. The ampulla of Vater is the dilated part of the common bile duct where it is joined by the pancreatic duct.