lamina
A lamina is a thin layer or sheet of material, often found in biological and geological contexts. In plants, for example, the lamina refers to the flat part of a leaf, which is crucial for photosynthesis as it captures sunlight.
In anatomy, lamina can describe thin layers of tissue, such as the lamina propria, which supports mucous membranes. In geology, laminae are fine layers of sedimentary rock that indicate changes in environmental conditions over time. Understanding laminae helps scientists study both living organisms and Earth's history.