tapetum
noun
ta·pe·tum
tə-ˈpē-təm 
plural tapeta
tə-ˈpē-tə
1
: any of various reflective membranous layers or areas especially of the choroid and retina of the eye
2
: a layer of nutritive cells that invests the sporogenous tissue in the sporangium of vascular plants
Examples of tapetum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Read More: 5 of the World’s Most Intelligent Animals
In contrast to other night hunters, like owls, who have a handy tapetum layer to reflect extra light through their retina, tarsiers simply evolved very large eyes.
—
Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024
With the tapetum lucidum and many rods, cats are extraordinarily sensitive to any amount of light.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2023
Humans lack a tapetum, but many of us have seen one of its tricks: The tapetum is what makes cat, dog, and raccoon eyes glow in nighttime photographs.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 June 2022
Instead of a tapetum, Reynolds suggests the boy may just have an especially high number of rods, our photoreceptors that work well in low light.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2012
Exactly how the tapetum’s fibers close in on one another isn’t yet clear, even two decades in.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 June 2022
The part of the eye that changes color is the tapetum lucidum, a layer of tissue found behind the retina.
—Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2021
The tapetum lucidum, which lines most of the back of the retina, comes into play in low-light situations, allowing the cat's eye to take in extra light.
—Star Tribune, 21 May 2021
Some creatures, including cats, raccoons, and dogs, have a layer of reflective tissue in their eyes known as the tapetum lucidum.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2015
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024
With the tapetum lucidum and many rods, cats are extraordinarily sensitive to any amount of light.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2023
Humans lack a tapetum, but many of us have seen one of its tricks: The tapetum is what makes cat, dog, and raccoon eyes glow in nighttime photographs.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 June 2022
Instead of a tapetum, Reynolds suggests the boy may just have an especially high number of rods, our photoreceptors that work well in low light.
—Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2012
Exactly how the tapetum’s fibers close in on one another isn’t yet clear, even two decades in.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 June 2022
The part of the eye that changes color is the tapetum lucidum, a layer of tissue found behind the retina.
—Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2021
The tapetum lucidum, which lines most of the back of the retina, comes into play in low-light situations, allowing the cat's eye to take in extra light.
—Star Tribune, 21 May 2021
Some creatures, including cats, raccoons, and dogs, have a layer of reflective tissue in their eyes known as the tapetum lucidum.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2015
Dictionary Entries Near tapetum
Cite this Entry
“Tapetum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapetum. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tapetum
noun
ta·pe·tum
tə-ˈpēt-əm
plural tapeta
-ˈpēt-ə
1
: any of various membranous layers or areas especially of the choroid and retina of the eye
specifically
: tapetum lucidum
2
: a layer of nerve fibers derived from the corpus callosum and forming part of the roof of each lateral ventricle of the brain
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share