squama

noun

squa·​ma ˈskwā-mə  ˈskwä- 

plural squamae ˈskwā-ˌmē  ˈskwä-ˌmī 

: a scalelike or thin, flattened part or structure especially of an animal: such as

a

: a small outgrowth of the base of a wing of a dipteran fly that covers the haltere

b

: the squamous portion of a bone of the skull

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1703, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

squama

noun

squa·​ma ˈskwā-mə  ˈskwä- 

plural squamae ˈskwā-ˌmē  ˈskwä-ˌmī 

: a structure resembling a scale or plate: as

a

: the curved platelike posterior portion of the occipital bone

b

: the vertical portion of the frontal bone that forms the forehead

c

: the thin anterior upper portion of the temporal bone