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célula means cell — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: March 26, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

célula

noun • /[SE-lu-la]/

cell

Example:

El cuerpo tiene millones de células.

The body has millions of cells.

🧠 What does célula mean?

A célula is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently. In a medical context, 'célula' refers to the microscopic building blocks of tissues and organs, and discussions often revolve around cell types, cell behavior (like division or death), and the analysis of cells for diagnostic purposes.

📚 Extra examples

  • Los análisis de sangre permiten examinar la forma y el número de diferentes células sanguíneas.
    Blood tests allow for the examination of the shape and number of different blood cells.
  • El cáncer se origina cuando las células comienzan a crecer de forma descontrolada.
    Cancer originates when cells begin to grow uncontrollably.
  • Los investigadores estudian la estructura de la célula para comprender mejor las enfermedades.
    Researchers study cell structure to better understand diseases.
  • Una biopsia consiste en tomar una pequeña muestra de tejido para examinar sus células bajo el microscopio.
    A biopsy consists of taking a small tissue sample to examine its cells under a microscope.

💡 Did You Know?

The term 'célula' was first coined by the English scientist Robert Hooke in 1665, who observed cork under a microscope and described its structure as 'cells' because they reminded him of the monastic cells of a monastery.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "célula"

Synonyms: elemento celular, unidad biológica
Opposites: tejido, órgano, sistema

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'cell' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'cell' is 'célula'.
How do you pronounce 'célula' in Spanish?
The pronunciation of 'célula' is approximately 'THEH-loo-lah'. The 'c' before 'é' sounds like 'th' in Spain, and like 's' in Latin America. The stress is on the first syllable, 'cél'.
How do you use 'célula' in a sentence?
'Célula' is used in sentences to refer to biological cells, much like in English. For example, 'Las células del cuerpo se dividen para crecer.' (The body's cells divide to grow.)
What is the English translation of 'célula'?
The English translation of 'célula' is 'cell'.
Does 'célula' change for gender or number?
'Célula' is a feminine noun. In the singular, it is 'la célula'. In the plural, it is 'las células'.
Is 'célula' common in everyday Spanish?
While 'célula' is a fundamental biological term, its direct use in everyday casual conversation might be less frequent unless discussing health, biology, or scientific topics. However, it is very common in academic, medical, and scientific contexts.
Does 'célula' have slang or double meanings?
In its primary sense related to biology, 'célula' does not typically have slang or double meanings. However, it can be used metaphorically, for instance, 'célula' can refer to a small group or unit within a larger organization, such as a 'célula terrorista' (terrorist cell).
Is 'célula' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and usage of 'célula' are consistent between Spain and Latin America in its primary biological and medical sense. The main difference in pronunciation relates to the 'c' sound before 'e' and 'i'.

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