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tapetum

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(tə pēt′əm)

noun pl. tapeta

Anat., Zool. any of various membranous layers; esp.,
1. the iridescent choroid membrane in the eye of certain animals, as the cat
2. a layer of fibers from the corpus callosum forming a portion of the roof of each lateral ventricle of the brain
Bot. a nutritive layer of cells lining the inner wall of a fern sporangium or of an anther

Origin: ModL < L < tapete, a carpet < Gr tapēs: see tapestry

Related Forms:

tapetal adjective

See tapetum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ta·pe·ta (-tə)

Botany A nutritive tissue within the sporangium, particularly within an anther.
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.

Origin:

Origin: Medieval Latin tapētum, coverlet

Origin: , from Latin tapēte, *tapētum

Origin: , from Greek tapēs, tapēt-; see tapestry

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Related Forms:

ta·peˈtal (-pētˈl) adjective

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