lacunata

Lacunata is a term used in several scientific contexts, primarily biology and paleontology, to describe something characterized by lacunae. A lacuna is a small hollow or cavity.

In biological tissues, lacunae are small spaces within the extracellular matrix where cells reside. For example, osteocytes, the mature bone cells, are found within lacunae in the bone matrix. Similarly, chondrocytes, the cartilage cells, are housed in lacunae within the cartilage matrix. These lacunae are not empty but contain the cell and its surrounding fluid, facilitating nutrient and waste exchange.

In paleontology, the term lacuna can refer to a gap or missing portion in a fossil record, often due to incomplete preservation or erosion. When applied as an adjective, lacunata suggests the presence of such hollows or spaces. For instance, a particular type of fossilized structure might be described as lacunata if it exhibits numerous small cavities. The specific meaning of lacunata is therefore dependent on the field of study.