operculum (redirected from opercula)

operculum /oper·cu·lum/ (o-per´ku-lum) pl. oper´cula   [L.]

1. a lid or covering.

2. the folds of pallium from the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes of the cerebrum overlying the insula.oper´cular

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dental operculum  the hood of gingival tissue overlying the crown of an erupting tooth.

trophoblastic operculum  the plug of trophoblast that helps close the gap in the endometrium made by the implanting blastocyst.

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o·per·cu·lum (-pûrky-lm)

n. pl. o·per·cu·lums or o·per·cu·la (-l)

1. Something resembling a lid or cover.

2. The portions of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes covering the insula.

3. The mucus sealing the endocervical canal of the uterus after conception.

4. The attached flap in cases of torn retinal detachment.

5. The mucosal flap partially or completely covering an unerupted tooth.

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o·percu·lar (-lr) adj.

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operculum

[ōpur′kyoo͡ləm] pl. opercula, operculums

Etymology: L, lid

a lid or covering, such as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix of the gravid uterus or the temporal operculum of the cerebral temporal hemisphere that overlaps the insula as an extension of the superior surface of the temporal lobe. opercular, adj.

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operculum (ōpur´kūlm),

n a flap of tissue over a partially erupted or unerupted tooth, particularly a third molar. It may result in pericoronitis with inflammation of the flap tissue. See also pericoronitis.

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operculum

pl. opercula [L.]

1. a lid or covering.

2. the folds of pallium from the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum overlying the insula.

3. gill cover in a fish.

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dental operculum

the hood of gingival tissue overlying the crown of an erupting tooth.

trophoblastic operculum

the plug of trophoblast that helps close the gap in the endometrium made by the implanting blastocyst.

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operculum 

A flap of detached retina which projects forward, or is totally free in the vitreous. It can happen as a result of a retinal tear (break).