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retinaculum

American  
[ret-n-ak-yuh-luhm] / ˌrɛt nˈæk jə ləm /

noun

retinacula plural
  1. Anatomy, Zoology. any of various small structures that hook, clasp, or bind other structures to move them or hold them in place.

  2. Entomology. a bristle on the butterfly forewing that clasps to the frenulum of the hindwing.


retinaculum British  
/ ˌrɛtɪˈnækjʊləm /

noun

  1. connection or retention or something that connects or retains

  2. zoology a small hook that joins the forewing and hind wing of a moth during flight

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Derived Forms

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Nouns

Etymology

Origin of retinaculum

1815–25; < New Latin; Latin retināculum tether, rope which holds fast or restrains, equivalent to retin ( ēre ) to hold fast, retain + -ā- (from v. stems ending in -ā-; cf. gubernaculum) + -culum -cule 2

Example Sentences

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The walls and floor of the carpal tunnel are formed by the U-shaped grouping of the carpal bones, and the roof is formed by the flexor retinaculum, a strong ligament that anteriorly unites the bones.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

The carpal bones, together with the flexor retinaculum, also form the carpal tunnel of the wrist.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

A strong ligament called the flexor retinaculum spans the top of this U-shaped area to maintain this grouping of the carpal bones.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

Base of wings of Synemon, to show the bristle and retinaculum in the male. m.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1. With an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative Of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. by Stokes, John Lort

Base of wings of Synemon, to show the bristle and retinaculum in the female. n.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1. With an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative Of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. by Stokes, John Lort

Fibrous bands called retinacula sheath the tendons at the wrist.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

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