noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
rod-shaped; bacillary
Technical term used mainly in biology and medicine to describe bacteria or other microorganisms that are rod-shaped. Also used in general descriptions of rod-like objects.
桿状菌は顕微鏡で見ると細長い形をしている。
Rod-shaped bacteria appear elongated under a microscope.
この桿状の部品を組み立ててください。
Please assemble this rod-shaped part.
球状 means 'spherical' or 'globular', contrasting with 桿状 which means 'rod-shaped'.
桿菌 specifically means 'bacillus' (rod-shaped bacterium), while 桿状 is the adjectival form describing the shape.
Compound of 桿 (kan, 'rod, shaft') + 状 (jō, 'shape, form'). The kanji 桿 is a less common character for 'rod', often used in technical contexts.