1. : a thin plate or scale : layer. 2. : either of two broad, flat plates of bone of a vertebra that is fused with and extends from the pedicle to the median line of the neural arch to form the base of the spinous process and that along with the pedicle forms the posterior part of the vertebral foramen.

Lamina is a general anatomical term meaning "plate" or "layer". It is used in both gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy to describe structures. Some examples include: The laminae of the thyroid cartilage: two leaf-like plates of cartilage that make up the walls of the structure.

Primarily, the nuclear lamina provides structural support for the nucleus and the nuclear envelope; however, lamins and their associated proteins are also involved in most of the nuclear processes, including DNA replication and repair, regulation of gene expression, and signaling.

Lamina (anatomy), with several meanings. Lamina (leaf), the flat part of a leaf, an organ of a plant. Lamina, the largest petal of a floret in an aster family flowerhead: see Glossary of botanical terms § lamina.