Operculum is a noun referring to a structure that acts as a lid or covering, such as a bony or cartilaginous plate that closes an opening. In biology, it denotes a part that protects or covers an aperture, like the ear’s bony plate or a covering in various invertebrates. The term is used in anatomy, botany, and zoology to describe protective coverings. It can also denote a part of certain mollusks that seals the shell’s opening.
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