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Webster 1913 Edition


Retinaculum

‖

Retˊi-nac′u-lum

,
Noun.
;
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.
2.
(Zool.)
One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of certain worms.
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
.