theca

noun

the·​ca ˈthē-kə 

plural thecae ˈthē-ˌsē  -ˌkē 

: an enveloping sheath or case of an animal or animal part

thecal

ˈthē-kəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek thēkē case — more at tick entry 4

First Known Use

circa 1666, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

theca

noun

the·​ca ˈthē-kə 

plural thecae ˈthē-ˌsē  -ˌkē 

: an enveloping case or sheath (as the theca folliculi) of an anatomical part