tapetum

noun, plural ta·pe·ta [tuh–pee-tuh] /təˈpi tə/.

1. Botany. a layer of cells often investing the archespore in a developing sporangium and absorbed as the spores mature.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. any of certain membranous layers or layered coverings, as in the choroid of the eyes of certain animals.

noun plural -ta (-tə)

1. a layer of nutritive cells in the sporangia of ferns and anthers of flowering plants that surrounds developing spore cells
2. 1. a membranous reflecting layer of cells in the choroid of the eye of nocturnal vertebrates
   2. a similar structure in the eyes of certain nocturnal insects
3. anatomy a covering layer of cells behind the retina of the eye

n.1713, from Medieval Latin tapetum, from Latin tapete “carpet.” n. pl. ta•pe•ta (-tə)

1. A membranous layer or region, especially the iridescent membrane of the choroid of certain mammals.
2. A layer of fibers of the corpus callosum forming the roof of part of the lateral ventricle of the brain.