Operculum may refer to:
Human biology
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Operculum (brain)
In human brain anatomy, an operculum (Latin, meaning "little lid") (: opercula), may refer to the frontal, temporal, or parietal operculum, which together cover the insular cortex, insula as the opercula of insula. It can also refer to the occip ...
, the part of the brain covering the insula
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Operculum (dentistry), a small flap of tissue which may cover an erupting or partially erupted molar
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Cervical mucus plug, the cervical mucus plug that blocks the cervix of the uterus after conception
Animal biology
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Operculum (animal), a structure resembling a lid or a small door that opens and closes
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Operculum (bird), a structure which covers the nares of some birds
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Operculum (bryozoa), a lid on the orifice of some bryozoans
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Operculum (fish), a flap covering the gills of bony fish
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Operculum (gastropod), a sort of trapdoor used to close the aperture of some snails
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Operculum papillare, the iris found in the eyes of elasmobranchs (skates, sharks, and rays)
* The anterior end of the puparium in some insects, through which the adult emerges; for example the wasp ''
Stenogastrinae''
Botany
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Operculum (botany), various lids and flaps pertaining to plants, algae, and fungi
See also
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Dehiscence (botany)
Dehiscence is the splitting of a mature plant structure along a built-in line of weakness to release its contents. This is common among fruits, anthers and sporangia. Sometimes this involves the complete detachment of a part. Structures that o ...
, the opening of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents
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