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squama

squama

9.9
A small hard piece on animals or plants that protects the body
  • noun
  • /ˈskweɪmə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escama
  • The reptile's skin is covered in hard squama that protect it from predators.

Examples

  • The tumor also involved the squama of the temporal bone, the zygomatic process, and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.

    Academic text (2005)
  • A 1979 review of more than 50 extracanalicular osteomas showed that the mastoid was the most commonly reported temporal bone site, followed by the squama.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Drilling superficial lesions of the mastoid and squama is a simple procedure.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Superficial lesions of the mastoid and squama were drilled until normal mastoid air cells were reached.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The mastoid area is the most common site, although these neoplasms have been reported in the squama, middle ear structures, promontory, internal auditory canal, and styloid process.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In a 1979 review of the literature by Denia et al., 41 (77%) of 53 reported cases of temporal bone osteoma were found in the mastoid region, whereas only 4 cases occurred in the squama.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The fish has colorful squama that shimmer in the sunlight, making it beautiful to see.

  • Many birds have squama on their feet that help them grip branches tightly.

Synonyms

squamule
vssquama
  • Specialized
9.9

A tiny flat part on the surface of plants like moss or lichen

is a protective structure that can be larger and occur in animals or plants
scale leaf
vssquama
  • Specialized
9.2

A small leaf that covers and protects a bud on plants like pine trees

is a protective structure not limited to leaves and also found in animals

Surface Forms

squama singular
squamae plural

Etymology

Squama comes from the Latin word squama, which means 'scale', like the hard plates on a fish or a snake. So a squama is a scale or scale-like part that protects an animal or a plant.