Lamellaire

Lamellaire, or lamellar, is an adjective used in science to describe thin, plate-like layers or sheets that occur within a larger structure. The term comes from lamella, a diminutive of lamina, meaning a small plate or leaf.

In biology, lamellae are common structural elements. Lamellar bone consists of mineralized sheets arranged around channels, contributing to strength. Membranes and organelles can also be lamellar; for example, the inner membrane of mitochondria is folded into lamellae (cristae), and chloroplasts contain lamellar thylakoid membranes involved in photosynthesis. In mycology and botany, lamellae refer to plate-like surfaces such as the gills under a mushroom cap, which increase surface area for spore dispersal.

In materials science and geology, lamellae denote layered architectures. Layered composites, polymers, and biomimetic materials often rely on lamellar organization to tailor mechanical properties. Nacre, a natural lamellar composite of platelets and organic matrix, is known for toughness. In crystallography, lamellae describe thin plate-like domains formed by twinning or phase separation that influence texture and diffraction.

The term is context-dependent, but across disciplines it highlights the repeating, sheet-like morphology of a structure and its functional implications.