Fenestra

/fˈɛnɛstɹɐ/

/fˈɛnɛstɹə/

[noun]

Fenestra

[NOUN]

an opening or a hole, particularly in a bone structure

What is "fenestra"?

Fenestra is an anatomical term referring to a small window-like opening or opening-like structure in the body. It is commonly used to describe specific openings in the bones of the skull or the inner ear. Fenestrae play important roles in the physiology of hearing and balance, allowing for the transmission of sound waves or the passage of fluid and signals within the body. These openings are precise and specialized, contributing to the overall function and coordination of various bodily systems.

an opening or window, typically in a wall or facade of a building

Examples

1. You, for example, have one pair of temporal fenestra in your skull, because you, my friend, are a synapsid.

2. Synapsids had one pair of openings in the skull, called a temporal fenestra, while the Sauropsids had two pairs.