Frenulum
/ˈfriː.njʊl.əm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small fold or ridge of tissue that supports or restrains the motion of the part to which it is attached, in particular a fold of skin beneath the tongue, or between the lip and the gum.
"Humans have three oral frenulums: beneath the tongue, between the upper lip and gum, and between the lower lip and gum."
- 2 A bristle or row of bristles on the edge of the hindwings of some lepidoptera which unites the wings by interlocking with a catch on the posterior part of the forewings.
Example
More examples"Tom had his lingual frenulum removed."
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin frēnulum, diminutive of frēnum (“a bridle, curb, bit”).