tunica
[too´nĭ-kah] (L.) a
tunic or
coat; used in anatomic nomenclature to designate a membranous covering of an organ or a distinct layer of the wall of a hollow structure, as a blood vessel.
tunica adventi´tia the outer coat of various tubular structures.
tunica albugi´nea a dense white fibrous sheath that encloses a part or organ, such as the testicle or ovary.
tunica conjuncti´va the conjunctiva.
tunica exter´na an outer coat, such as the fibroelastic coat of a blood vessel.
tunica inter´na an inner coat or layer.
tunica in´tima the innermost coat of a blood vessel; called also
Bichat's tunic.
tunica me´dia the muscular middle coat of a blood vessel.
tunica muco´sa the mucous membrane lining of various tubular structures.
tunica muscula´ris the muscular coat or layer surrounding the tela submucosa in most portions of the digestive, respiratory, urinary, and genital tracts.
tunica pro´pria the proper coat or layer of a part, as distinguished from an investing membrane.
tunica sero´sa the membrane lining the external walls of the body cavities and reflected over the surfaces of protruding organs; it secretes a watery exudate.
tunica vagina´lis tes´tis the serous membrane covering the front and sides of the testis and epididymis.
tunica vasculo´sa a vascular coat, or a layer well supplied with blood vessels.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.