Frenulum
199614
207983357
2008-04-24T23:08:41Z
Jakew
113757
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/68.42.136.195|68.42.136.195]] ([[User talk:68.42.136.195|talk]]) to last version by Graevemoore
:'''''Frenula''' redirects here. For the [[brachiopod]] [[genus]], see ''[[Frenula (brachiopod)]]
A '''frenulum''' (or '''frenum''', plural: '''frenula''' or '''frena''', from the Latin ''frēnulum'', "little bridle", the [[diminutive]] of ''frēnum'' ) is a small fold of tissue that secures or restricts the motion of a mobile [[organ (anatomy)|organ]] in the [[body]]. A short frenulum may require a [[frenectomy]] or [[frenuloplasty]] to achieve normal mobility.
Frenula on the human body include several in the [[mouth]], some in the [[digestive tract]], and some connected to the [[sex organ|external genitalia]]:
* Oral tissue: Frenula of the [[mouth]] include the ''[[frenulum linguae]]'' under the [[tongue]], the ''[[f. labii superioris]]'' inside the upper lip, the ''[[f. labii inferioris]]'' inside the lower lip, and the [[buccal frena]] which connect the cheeks to the gum. These can easily be torn by violent blows to the face or mouth, thus a torn frenulum is sometimes a warning sign of [[physical abuse]].
* Vulvular tissue: In females, genital frenula include the ''[[frenulum clitoridis]]'' of the [[clitoris]] and the ''[[frenulum labiorum pudendi]]'' (aka ''fourchette'') where the [[labia minora]] meet at the back.
* Penile tissue: The word ''frenulum'' on its own is often used for the [[frenulum of prepuce of penis]] or ''frenulum preputii penis'', which is an elastic band of tissue under the [[glans penis]] that connects to the [[prepuce]], or [[foreskin]] to the vernal mucosa, and helps contract the prepuce over the glans.
* Brain: [[Frenulum veli]]
===In [[entomology]]===
The word '''frenulum''' also refers to a bristle present at the root of the hindwing of most [[moth]]s which engages with a small hook on the forewing to join the wings together.
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[[Category:Anatomy]]
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