RETINACULUM

Etymology

Noun

retinaculum (plural retinacula)

(anatomy) A connecting band.

(anatomy) One of the annular ligaments which hold the tendons close to the bones at the larger joints, as at the wrist and ankle.

(zoology) One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of certain worms.

(zoology) A loop on the underside of the forewing of some moths.

(botany) A small gland or process to which bodies are attached; as, the glandular retinacula to which the pollinia of orchids are attached, or the hooks which support the seeds in many acanthaceous plants.

Source: Wiktionary


Ret`i*nac"u*lum, n.; pl. Retinacula. Etym: [L., a holdfast, a band. See Retain.]

1. (Anat.) (a) A connecting band; a frænum; as, the retinacula of the ileocæcal and ileocolic valves. (b) One of the annular ligaments which hold the tendons close to the bones at the larger joints, as at the wrist and ankle.

2. (Zoöl)

Definition: One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of certain worms.

3. (Bot.)

Definition: A small gland or process to which bodies are attached; as, the glandular retinacula to which the pollinia of orchids are attached, or the hooks which support the seeds in many acanthaceous plants.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

18 March 2025

ODONTOGLOSSUM

(noun) any of numerous and diverse orchids of the genus Odontoglossum having racemes of few to many showy usually large flowers in many colors


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest collection of coffee pots belongs to Robert Dahl (Germany) and consists of 27,390 coffee pots as of 2 November 2012, in Rövershagen, Germany.

coffee icon