noun
- plural of retinula; clusters of photoreceptor cells in the compound eyes of arthropods
Usage: biology; entomology
Examples
- The compound eye contains hundreds of retinulas, each functioning as a separate visual unit.
- Each retinula in the insect’s eye responds to light from a specific direction.
- Researchers studied the structure of retinulas to understand arthropod vision.
- The retinulas are arranged in a hexagonal pattern within the compound eye.
- Damage to individual retinulas can affect the insect’s ability to detect movement.