retinaculum

noun

ret·​i·​nac·​u·​lum ˌre-tə-ˈna-kyə-ləm 

plural retinacula ˌre-tə-ˈna-kyə-lə 

: any of several fibrous bands of fascia that pass over or under tendons (as at or near the ankle or wrist) and help to keep them in place

Examples of retinaculum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It's ordinarily folded up beneath the body and held under tension by a structure called the retinaculum. — Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025

The carpal tunnel is a literal tunnel of space bordered by the carpal (wrist) bones and their ligaments, and by a connective tissue structure called the flexor retinaculum. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 May 2022

The compression is alleviated by surgical release of the retinaculum, which gives the nerve adequate room. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin retināculum, going back to Latin, "rope holding something in place, cable, hawser," from retinēre "to hold fast, detain, keep possession of" + -ā-, stem formative of verbs + -culum, suffix of instrument and place (going back to Indo-European *-tlom), probably after gubernāculum "steering oar of a ship" (from gubernāre "to steer") or other derivatives of 1st-conjugation verbs — more at retain

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

retinaculum

noun

ret·​i·​nac·​u·​lum -ləm 

plural retinacula -lə 

: a connecting or retaining band especially of fibrous tissue see extensor retinaculum, flexor retinaculum, inferior extensor retinaculum, inferior peroneal retinaculum, peroneal retinaculum, superior extensor retinaculum, superior peroneal retinaculum