Trabecula
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208458279
2008-04-27T03:57:12Z
222.153.45.101
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 208166373 by [[Special:Contributions/137.164.227.136|137.164.227.136]] ([[User talk:137.164.227.136|talk]])
A '''trabecula''' (plural '''trabeculae'''. From [[Latin]] for '''small beam'''.) is a small, often microscopic, [[biological tissue|tissue]] element in the form of a small [[Beam (structure)|beam]], [[strut]] or [[Rod (geometry)|rod]], generally having a mechanical function, and usually but not necessarily composed of dense [[collagen]]ous tissue.
On [[histological section]], a trabecula can look like a [[septum]], but in [[Three-dimensional space|three dimensions]] they are topologically distinct, with trabeculae being roughly rod or pillar-shaped and septa being sheet-like.
Trabeculae are usually composed of dense fibrous tissue, i.e. mainly of [[collagen]], and in most cases provide mechanical strengthening or stiffening to a soft solid organ, such as the [[spleen]].
They can be composed of other materials, such as [[bone]] or [[muscle]].
When crossing fluid-filled spaces, trabeculae may have the function of resisting tension (as in the [[penis]]) or providing a cell filter (as in the [[eye]].)
Multiple perforations in a septum may reduce it to a collection of trabeculae, as happens to the walls of some of the [[pulmonary alveolus|pulmonary alveoli]] in [[emphysema]].
==Examples of trabeculae==
* [[Cancellous bone|trabeculae of bone]]
* [[trabeculae of corpora cavernosa of penis]]
* [[trabeculae of corpus spongiosum of penis]]
* [[trabecular meshwork of the eye]]
* [[trabeculae of spleen]]
* [[trabeculae carneae]]
* [[septomarginal trabecula]]
==Etymology==
Diminutive form of Latin ''trabs'', which means a beam or bar. In the 19th century, the neologism ''trabeculum'' (with an assumed plural of ''trabecula'') became popular, but is less etymologically correct. ''Trabeculum'' persists in some countries as a synonym for the [[trabecular meshwork]] of the [[eye]], but this can be considered poor usage on the grounds of both etymology and descriptive accuracy.
==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Trabecula}}
[[Category:tissues]]
[[de:Trabekel]]
[[pt:Trabécula]]