Lacuna (redirected from lateral lacunae)

lacuna

1. Biology a cavity or depression, such as any of the spaces in the matrix of bone

2. another name for coffer

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lacuna [lə′kü·nə]

(biology)

A small space or depression.

(histology)

A cavity in the matrix of bone or cartilage which is occupied by the cell body.

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Lacuna 

(1) In animals and man, the interstices between elements of tissues and between organs lacking their own walls. In animals with a closed circulatory system, the lacunae are usually filled with lymph; in those with an open system, they are filled with hemolymph. Lacunae that attain relatively large dimensions are called sinuses. In the majority of animals that have a heart and an open circulatory system, the lacunae are usually found on the venous path.

(2) In man, depressed areas on the surfaces of organs (for example, the tonsillar cryptae); on the anterior surface of the hip, the lacuna vasorum is a compartment for the passage of the femoral artery and vein, and the lacuna musculorum is a compartment for the passage of the iliopsoas muscle and femoral nerve.

(3) In plants, the same as leaf gaps.

(4) In linguistics and literary studies, a blank space, an omission, or a missing part of a text.