Retinaculum

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Retinaculum \Ret`i*nac"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Retinacula}. [L., a
     holdfast, a band. See {Retain}.]
     1. (Anat.)
        (a) A connecting band; a fraenum; as, the retinacula of
            the ileocaecal and ileocolic valves.
        (b) One of the annular ligaments which hold the tendons


            close to the bones at the larger joints, as at the
            wrist and ankle.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of
        certain worms.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Bot.) A small gland or process to which bodies are
        attached; as, the glandular retinacula to which the
        pollinia of orchids are attached, or the hooks which
        support the seeds in many acanthaceous plants.
        [1913 Webster]