fenestra

 
Pronunciation: /fɪˈnɛstrə/

noun (plural fenestrae /-triː/)

  • 1 Anatomy & Zoology a small natural hole or opening, especially in a bone. The mammalian middle ear is linked by the fenestra ovalis to the vestibule of the inner ear, and by the fenestra rotunda to the cochlea.
  • 2 Medicine an artificial opening.
  • an opening in a bandage or cast.
  • a perforation in a forceps blade.
  • a hole made by surgical fenestration.

Origin:

early 19th century (as a botanical term denoting a small scar left by the separation of the seed from the ovary): from Latin, literally 'window'