Epitheca

Origin

Ancient Greek ἐπί (epi, "upon") + θήκη (thēkē, "case, box, receptacle")

Full definition of epitheca

Noun

1. (microbiology, planktology) The upper half of the theca of a thecate protist such as a diatom or dinoflagellate.
• FrustuleThe frustule's structure is usually composed of two overlapping sections, known as valves. The upper valve is termed the epitheca and is slightly larger and overlaps the lower valve, the hypotheca.
• ucl.ac.uk diatom webpageThe diatom frustule is often likened to a pill-box ... with an epitheca (larger upper valve), and a hypotheca (smaller lower valve).

Coordinate terms

• hypotheca

Derived terms

• epithecal

Anagrams

• petechia