fenestra n : a small membrane-covered opening (especially one in the bone between the middle and inner ear) [also: fenestrae (pl)]

English

Noun

1. an opening in a body, sometimes with a membrane

Latin

Alternative forms

• festra

Noun

1. a window, an opening for light,
2. a breach, a loophole
3. an orifice, inlet
4. an opportunity

fenestrā

Inflection

Derived terms

• fenestrula
• defenestration (English)
• fenêtre (French)
• fereastră (Romanian)
• finestra (Italian)
• Fenster (German)

Fenestræ (singular: fenestra) are small pores in epithelial cells to allow for rapid exchange of molecules between blood vessels and surrounding tissue. These pores can enlarge and contract at the action of various stimuli such as noradrenaline.

In anatomy, the term is used to refer to natural (as opposed to traumatic) openings in the skull or other bones. Fenestræ is the Latin plural for windows.

See also

• Temporal fenestra

aperture, broaching, cavity, chasm, check, clearing, cleft, crack, disclosure, fistula, fontanel, foramen, gap, gape, gat, gulf, hiatus, hole, hollow, inlet, interval, lacuna, laying open, leak, opening, opening up, orifice, outlet, passageway, pore, slot, space, split, stoma, throwing open, uncorking, unstopping, yawn