ta·pe·tum (t -p  tm)n. pl. ta·pe·ta (-t ) 1. Botany A nutritive tissue within the sporangium, particularly within an anther. 2. Anatomy a. A membranous layer or region, especially the iridescent membrane of the choroid of certain mammals. b. A layer of fibers of the corpus callosum forming the roof of part of the lateral ventricle of the brain. [Medieval Latin tap tum, coverlet, from Latin tapte, *taptum, from Greek taps, tapt-; see tapestry.]ta·pe tal (-ptl) adj. |
tapetum [təˈpiːtəm]
n pl -ta [-tə]
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) a layer of nutritive cells in the sporangia of ferns and anthers of flowering plants that surrounds developing spore cells
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology)
a. a membranous reflecting layer of cells in the choroid of the eye of nocturnal vertebrates
b. a similar structure in the eyes of certain nocturnal insects
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy a covering layer of cells behind the retina of the eye
[from New Latin, from Medieval Latin: covering, from Latin tapēte carpet, from Greek tapēs carpet]
tapetal adj
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