Anulus (architecture)

An annulus ( Latin annulus "small ring", plural anuli ) is a groove on the capital of columns of the Doric order .

As a rule, several of these grooves or notches are made at the transition from the column neck ( hypotrachelion ) to the echinus , the lower part of the Doric capital.

The annuli are not to be confused with the notches known as scamillus or hypotracheal band, which are arranged between the column shaft and the column neck.