Theca. various types of sheath in animals and plants: (1) A cell wall in certain amoebae (thecamoebae). (2) A chitinoid membrane in hydroid polyps; hence the division into the suborders Thecaphora and Athecata. (3) The connective tissue surrounding ovarian follicles in vertebrates (theca folliculi). (4) A tooth socket in the jawbone of mammals and crocodiles. (5) A capsule for spores in mosses.
LOCATION AND SIZE. Once known as Holland, the Netherlands is located in Western Europe. It borders Belgium to the south, Germany to the east and north, and the North Sea along its western coast. The country has a total area of 41,526 square kilometers (16,485 square miles).
Portugal (Portuguese: ), officially the Portuguese Republic (Portuguese: RepÃºblica Portuguesa ), is a sovereign state located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, being bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east by Spain.