lamina

noun

lam·​i·​na ˈla-mə-nə 

plural laminae ˈla-mə-ˌnē 

-ˌnī

or laminas

1

: a thin plate or scale : layer

2

: either of two broad, flat plates of bone of a vertebra that is fused with and extends from the pedicle to the median line of the neural arch to form the base of the spinous process and that along with the pedicle forms the posterior part of the vertebral foramen

3

a

: the expanded part of a foliage leaf as distinguished from the petiole : blade sense 1b

b

: the flattened photosynthetic part of an alga that typically arises from the stipe : blade sense 2e

4

: one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular sensitive tissue that cover the flesh within the wall of a hoof

Synonyms

• lamella
• plate
• scale

Examples of lamina in a Sentence

the laminae of stratified rock were deposited separately, building upwards as time passed

Recent Examples on the Web

The back procedure was a laminotomy, which is a removal of a small portion of the lamina and ligaments, according to the Mayfield Clinic. —Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, 5 Oct. 2017

A lamina is simply a very thin sedimentary bed (less than a couple centimeters thick). —Brian Romans, WIRED, 22 Aug. 2008

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lamina

• lamina propria

Kids Definition

lamina

noun

lam·​i·​na ˈlam-ə-nə 

plural laminae -ˌnē 

-ˌnī

or laminas

: a thin plate or scale

Medical Definition

lamina

noun

lam·​i·​na ˈlam-ə-nə 

plural laminae -ˌnē, -ˌnī  or laminas

: a thin plate or layer especially of an anatomical part: as

a

: either of two broad, flat plates of bone of a vertebra that is fused with and extends from the pedicle to the median line of the neural arch to form the base of the spinous process and that along with the pedicle forms the posterior part of the vertebral foramen

b

: one of the narrow thin parallel plates of soft vascular sensitive tissue that cover the pododerm of the walls of an animal's hoof and fit between corresponding horny laminae on the inside of the wall of the hoof