tentorium

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noun

The framework of internal supports (a false endoskeleton) within an arthropod head, formed by ingrowths of the exoskeleton called apophyses.

Scrabble 11

Meanings

nountentorium (plural tentoria or tentoriums)

plural tentoria · plural tentoriums

  1. The framework of internal supports (a false endoskeleton) within an arthropod head, formed by ingrowths of the exoskeleton called apophyses.

    In the female of Culex the tentoria arise in front of the border of the occipital foramen and ascend at an angle of twenty-five degrees with the floor of the head.

    1906, Milett T. Thompson, Alimentary Canal of the Mosquito: (Anopheles Punctipennis)
  2. anatomyThe tentorium cerebelli, an extension of the dura mater that separates the cerebellum from the inferior portion of the occipital lobes.

    Four dogs with intact tentoriums survived 6 weeks and 8 with sectioned tentoriums survived the same period of time.

    1961, Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry, page 345

Origin

  1. Latintentorium
  2. Englishtentorium

Early 19th century: from Latin tentorium, literally ‘tent’.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

tentorium. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tentorium

MLA

“tentorium.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tentorium. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “tentorium,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tentorium.

Source: tentorium on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.