A frenulum or frenum (: frenula or frena, from the Latin ''frēnulum'', "little bridle", the

diminutive A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle s ...

of ''frēnum''frenulum: definition of frenulum in Oxford dictionary (American English) (US)
/ref>) is a small fold of tissue that secures the motion of a mobile

organ Organ and organs may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a group of tissues organized to serve a common function * Organ system, a collection of organs that function together to carry out specific functions within the body. Musical instruments ...

in the

body Body may refer to: In science * Physical body, an object in physics that represents a large amount, has mass or takes up space * Body (biology), the physical material of an organism * Body plan, the physical features shared by a group of anim ...

In human anatomy

Frenula on the human body include several in the

mouth A mouth also referred to as the oral is the body orifice through which many animals ingest food and animal communication#Auditory, vocalize. The body cavity immediately behind the mouth opening, known as the oral cavity (or in Latin), is also t ...

, some in the

digestive tract The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the Digestion, digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The tract is the largest of the body's systems, after the cardiovascula ...

, and some connected to the external genitalia. *Brain: '' Frenulum of superior medullary velum'' or ''frenulum veli'' *Digestive tract: ''frenulum valvae ileocaecalis'' *Oral tissue: Frenula of the

include the

frenulum of the tongue The frenulum (or frenum) of the tongue, tongue web, lingual frenulum, frenulum linguae, or fraenulum is a small fold of mucous membrane extending from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the underside of the human tongue. Development The t ...

or ''frenulum linguae'' under the

tongue The tongue is a Muscle, muscular organ (anatomy), organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for chewing and swallowing as part of the digestive system, digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste. The tongue's upper s ...

, the '' frenulum labii superioris'' inside the upper lip, the '' frenulum 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 Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. In most cases, children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims, as in cases of domestic violence or ...

. *Penile tissue: The word ''frenulum'' on its own is often used for the

penile frenulum The frenulum of the penis, often known simply as the frenulum (from ) or frenum, is a thin elastic strip of tissue on the underside of the glans and the neck of the human penis. In men who are not circumcised, it also connects the foreskin to th ...

or ''frenulum preputii penis'', which is a sensitive, elastic band of tissue under the

glans penis In male human anatomy, the glans penis or penile glans, commonly referred to as the glans, (; from Latin ''glans'' meaning "acorn") is the bulbous structure at the Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal, distal end of the human penis ...

that connects to the

foreskin In male Human body, human anatomy, the foreskin, also known as the prepuce (), is the double-layered fold of Human skin, skin, Mucous membrane, mucosal and Muscle tissue, muscular tissue at the distal end of the human penis that covers the glans ...

to the ventral mucosa, and helps contract the prepuce over the glans and is the most sensitive part of the penis. In circumcision, this part of the penis is ablated or removed. *Vulvar tissue: In females, genital frenula include the '' frenulum clitoridis'' of the

clitoris In amniotes, the clitoris ( or ; : clitorises or clitorides) is a female sex organ. In humans, it is the vulva's most erogenous zone, erogenous area and generally the primary anatomical source of female Human sexuality, sexual pleasure. Th ...

and the '' frenulum labiorum pudendi'' (''fourchette'') where the

labia minora The labia minora (Latin for 'smaller lips', : labium minus), also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin that are part of the primate vulva, extending outwards from the inner Vagina#Vaginal opening and hymen, vagi ...

meet at the back. An overly short oral or genital frenulum may require a frenulectomy or frenuloplasty to achieve normal mobility.

In insects

The word frenulum also refers to a

bristle A bristle is a stiff hair or feather (natural or artificial), either on an animal, such as a pig, a plant, or on a tool such as a brush or broom. Synthetic types Synthetic materials such as nylon are also used to make bristles in items such as b ...

present at the root of the hindwing of most

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

s which engages with a small hook or tuft on the forewing (the retinaculum) to join the wings together.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Tissues (biology) Insect anatomy

In human anatomy

In insects

See also

Piercings

References

External links