1. Projections from the leading edge of some cells, particularly, but not exclusively, nerve growth cones. They are usually about 100 nm diameter, 5-10 m long and are supported by loosely bundled microfilaments. They are referred to by some authors as filopodia. Functionally a sort of linear version of a ruffle on a leading lamella.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
