tapetum lucidum

English

Etymology

From Latin tapētum (“tapestry”) and lūcidum (“bright, shining, clear”), the neuter of lūcidus, literally "bright tapestry".

Noun

tapetum lucidum (plural tapeta lucida)

1. A layer of tissue in the eye of many vertebrate animals, immediately behind or sometimes within the retina, that reflects visible light so as to increase the light available to the photoreceptors.

Related terms

• tapetum

See also

• eyeshine