patagium

[puh-tey-jee-uhm]

noun

plural

patagia 

1. a wing membrane, as of a bat.

2. the extensible fold of skin of certain insects or of a gliding mammal or reptile, as a flying squirrel.

3. either of two small processes on the anterior thorax, found especially among butterflies and moths.

patagium

/ pəˈteɪdʒɪəm /

noun

1. a web of skin between the neck, limbs, and tail in bats and gliding mammals that functions as a wing

2. a membranous fold of skin connecting margins of a bird's wing to the shoulder

Word History and Origins

Origin of patagium¹

1820–30; < New Latin, special use of Latin patagium tunic border

Word History and Origins

Origin of patagium¹

C19: New Latin from Latin, from Greek patageion gold border on a tunic

Example Sentences

In a study published in the journal Nature this week, a team of researchers led by Princeton University and Baylor College of Medicine explains the genomic and developmental basis of the patagium, the thin skin membrane that allows some mammalian species to soar through the air.

Read more on Science Daily

To better understand patagium evolution, the team focused on marsupials.

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The researchers showed that Emx2 gives rise to the marsupial patagium using a genetic program that probably exists in all mammals.

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And the plagiopatagium, a specific patagium that connects the side of the body to the arms and legs, is among the most important.

Read more on Scientific American

They have a big patagium, the parachute-like membrane that stretches from ankles to wrists.

Read more on Washington Post