retinaculum noun. [rɛtɪ'nakjʊlǝm] Pl. -la [-lǝ]. M18.
[Latin, from retinere hold back: see -CULE.]
1. Medicine. A surgical retractor (now rare); Anatomy a structure which holds an organ or tissue in place (chiefly in mod. Latin phrs.). M18.

2. Entomology.
a. An arrangement of hooks, or hooks and bristles, which interlocks the fore and hindwings of various insects during flight. M19.
b. In collembolans, a fused pair of appendages which hold back the furcula before releasing it for a spring. E20.

3. Botany. The viscidium of an orchid. Now rare. M19.

■ retinacular adjective L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲