frenum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an anatomical fold of tissue that restrains or anchors the movement of an organ; a frenulum

   The oral surgeon examined the frenum beneath the patient's tongue.

Borrowed from Latin frenum, 'bridle, curb, or restraint.' Anatomy applied the image of a bridle to a small membrane that checks the movement of a mobile part. The classical plural is frena; frenulum is the common diminutive synonym.

Topics