theca
|the-ca|
/ˈθiːkə/
enclosing case or sac
Etymology
'theca' originates from Modern Latin, specifically the word 'theca', which was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'thekē' meaning 'case' or 'box'.
'theca' comes from Greek 'thekē' → borrowed into Latin as 'theca' (Late/Medieval Latin) → entered scientific English usage retaining the form 'theca'.
Initially it meant 'box' or 'case' in Greek, but over time it became specialized in scientific usage to mean 'a sheath, sac, or enclosing structure' in biology and anatomy.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in botany, one of the pollen sacs of an anther (a compartment that contains pollen).
Each anther typically contains two thecae that release pollen when mature.
Synonyms
Noun 2
in anatomy and general biology, a sheath, case, or membrane that encloses or covers an organ, cell, or structure (e.g., the theca of an ovarian follicle).
The theca of the ovarian follicle is involved in hormone production.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/07 17:42