lamelläre

Lamellar, or lamellary, is an adjective used in several scientific fields to describe structures organized into thin, plate-like layers called lamellae. The lamellar arrangement often imparts specific mechanical or functional properties, such as strength, toughness, or directional strength, and can arise during growth, mineralization, or layering processes.

In biology, lamellar structures occur in tissues such as bone and nacre. Lamellar bone consists of thin, concentric layers of mineralized collagen arranged around vascular channels, contrasting with woven bone which is more disorganized. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl, shows lamellar organization with alternating organic matrix and mineral platelets that contribute to its toughness. Some connective tissues and certain plant tissues also exhibit lamellar organization.

In geology and environmental science, laminated or lamellate sediments show alternating layers of minerals or organic matter, reflecting changing depositional conditions over time. In materials science, lamellar or laminated materials are engineered by stacking thin layers of different materials to tailor properties such as stiffness, fracture resistance, or barrier performance. Natural inspiration from lamellar structures, such as nacre-like composites, has guided the design of tough, layered materials.

In mycology, lamellate refers to mushrooms whose fruiting bodies bear gills (lamellae) under the cap, as opposed to pore- or tooth-bearing forms.

The term is widely used across disciplines to denote layered microstructure, with the exact implications depending on the context. See also lamella and lamination.