retinaculum

[ ret-n-ak-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural ret·i·nac·u·la [ret-n-, ak, -y, uh, -l, uh].

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌretiˈnacular, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinaculum¹

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-; gubernaculum ) + -culum -cule ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinaculum¹

C18 (a surgical instrument used in castration): Latin, from rētinēre to hold back

Example Sentences

The second doctor Watts consulted confirmed a tear in her medial patellar retinaculum.

From Washington Post

The surgery, an extensor retinaculum repair, was performed by Dr. Bruce Toby at the University of Kansas Hospital on Tuesday.

From Washington Times

Loop: applied to that structure at base of innerside of primaries into which the frenulum of male moths is fitted: see retinaculum.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The retinaculum is not correctly represented in this figure, it arises from the anterior side of the sub-costal nervure.

From Project Gutenberg