lamínula

Lamínula is a term used in Spanish-language scientific literature as a diminutive form of lámina, meaning a small plate, sheet, or thin layer. It is not the name of a single, widely recognized taxon or structure, but rather a descriptive word that appears across disciplines to denote a tiny lamina or laminar element within a larger organism, rock, or tissue. The exact meaning of lamínula is context-dependent and defined by the field and author using it.

In geology and paleontology, lamínula may be employed to describe micro-laminae or very fine bedding layers within sedimentary sequences. Such thin layers can reflect short-term changes in deposition, chemistry, or sediment supply, and they are often studied to interpret past environmental conditions. In biology and anatomy, lamínula can refer to small, plate-like structures within tissues or organs, highlighting their thin, sheet-like nature rather than a distinct anatomical term. In botany and plant morphology, the word can be used descriptively to indicate a tiny, leaf-like lamina or a diminutive blade.

Because lamínula functions as a generic descriptor rather than a formal nomenclatural category, its usage varies and is largely governed by the conventions of the discipline and the author. When encountered, the term should be interpreted with attention to the surrounding text to determine the precise reference, whether to a micro-lamina in rocks, a tissue layer, or a small leaf-like structure.