retinaculum

n. Biology, pl., -la (-lə).
A band or bandlike structure that holds an organ or a part in place.

[Latin retināculum, band, tether : retinēre, to restrain; see retain + -culum, suff. denoting instruments.]

retinacular ret'i·nac'u·lar (-lər) adj.

A band of thick tissue that supports and maintains the position of other tissue. In the wrist, for example, the fascia are thickened into retinacula that form protective passageways through which tendons, nerves, and blood vessels pass.

(rĕt'n-ăk'yə-ləm)
n., pl. -la (-lə).

A band or bandlike structure that holds an organ or a part in place.

ret'i·nac'u·lar (-lər) adj.

Pl. retinacula [L.]
1. a structure that retains an organ or tissue in place.
2. an instrument for retracting tissues during surgery.

• carpal r. — a superficial transverse ligament passing obliquely across the palmar aspect of the carpus, completing the carpal tunnel.
• hock r. — one of three transverse ligamentous bands across the dorsal aspect of the hock, holding the digital extensor tendons in place.
• r. morgagni — a ridge formed by the coming together of segments of the ileocecal valve. Called also frenulum of ileocecal valve.
• patellar r. — medial and lateral patellar ligaments.
• r. tendinum — a tendinous restraining structure, such as an annular ligament.