Tunica (biology)

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In biology, a tunica (/ˈtnɪkə/) (plural tunicae) is a layer, coat, sheath, or similar covering. The word came to English from the New Latin of science and medicine. Its literal sense is about the same as that of the word tunic, with which it is cognate. In biology one of its senses used to be the taxonomic name of a genus of plants, but the nomenclature has been revised and those plants are now included in the genus Petrorhagia.

In modern biology in general, tunica occurs as a technical or anatomical term mainly in botany and zoology. It usually refers to membranous structures that line or cover particular organs. In many such contexts tunica is used interchangeably with tunic according to preference. An organ or organism that has a tunic(a) may be said to be tunicate, as in a tunicate bulb. This adjective tunicate is not to be confused with the noun tunicate, which refers to a member of the subphylum Tunicata.

Botanical and related usages[edit]

In botany there are several contexts for the term.

  • As a general, but not comprehensive, descriptive term in botanical anatomy John Lindley in the 19th century defined tunica as "any loose membranous skin not formed from epidermis".[1][2]
  • The apical meristem, in particular in Angiosperms, has an outer layer of cells called the tunica; its role in growth and development differs from that of the inner meristem, or corpus.[3]
  • Bulbs and corms often have protective outer coverings of dead material. Particularly in fields such as horticulture and taxonomic description, such bulbs and corms are said to be "tunicate" — having tunics. Usually such a tunic is derived from the bases of sacrificial dead leaves, often cataphylls specialised for the purpose and dying in place. Such tunics may be delicate, brittle membranes such as those around the bulbs of onions, but the many variations reflect a wide range of adaptations in various species. Many of the larger Amaryllidaceae in particular, for example Boophone species, accumulate thick layers of rot-resistant leaf-base material around their bulbs. Again, corms of Iridaceous species, such as some Watsonias and the larger species of Gladiolus, accumulate thick, reticulated, fibrous or woody defences.
  • More generally than in describing tunics of bulbs etc., any leaf-sheath or protective bract remaining attached to the plant after the leaf has died may be called a tunica or tunic.[2]
  • The testa or spermoderm of a seed is sometimes called the tunic, especially in older books.[2]
  • In fungi the peridium may be referred to as the tunica.[2]

Zoological usages[edit]

As an anatomical or morphological reference in zoology, tunica has a range of applications to membranous structures in anatomy, including human anatomy. Such structures are generally coverings or capsules of organs, but also may be linings of cavities. In some cases, such as the walls of macroscopic blood vessels, layers of the tissue of the walls, whether inner, intermediate, or outer, are called tunica of one kind or another. Examples follow, but neither the list nor the discussions are exhaustive.


  1. ^ Lindley, John. The Treasury of Botany. Pub. William Wood 1872. May be downloaded from: [1]
  2. ^ a b c d Jackson, Benjamin, Daydon; A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent; Published by Gerald Duckworth & Co. London, 4th ed 1928
  3. ^ Mishra, S.R. Understanding Plant Anatomy. Publisher: Discovery 2009. ISBN 978-8183564571
  4. ^ a b c d Junqueira, L. Carlos; Carneiro, Jose; Kelly, Robert O. Basic Histology, Publisher: Prentice Hall 1995 ISBN 0-8385-0590-2
  5. ^ a b c d Amenta, Peter S. Histology: From Normal Microanatomy to Pathology. Publisher: Piccin Nuova Libraria 1997 ISBN 978-8829911950
  6. ^ Barishak, Y. Robert. Embryology of the Eye and Its Adnexae. Publisher: S Karger 2001 ISBN 978-3805571791
  7. ^ Shu-Xin Zhang. An Atlas of Histology. Publisher: Springer 1999 ISBN 978-0387949543