Health Dictionary Find a Doctor

Lamina (anatomy)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Lamina is a general anatomical term meaning “plate” or “layer.” It is used in both gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy to describe structures.

Some examples include:

  • The laminae of the thyroid cartilage: two leaflike plates of cartilage that make up the walls of the structure
  • The vertebral laminae: plates of bone that form the posterior walls of each vertebra, enclosing the spinal cord
  • The laminae of the thalamus: the layers of thalamus tissue
  • The lamina propria: a connective tissue layer under the epithelium of an organ

Template:WikiDoc Sources

Looking for the patient version?

Back to the patient-friendly article

© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH