tapetum (redirected from tapetums)

ta·pe·tum  (t-ptm)

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.

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[Medieval Latin taptum, coverlet, from Latin tapte, *taptum, from Greek taps, tapt-; see tapestry.]

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ta·petal (-ptl) adj.