Cribrum

Craticula

 

Cruciform

A thin covering of silica that possesses fine pores. The cribrum is located on the internal opening of an areola. This structure is visible only with scanning electron microscopy.

Alternative Term

sieve plate

velum

Citations

Ross, R. and Sims, P. (1972). The fine structure of the frustule in centric diatoms: a suggested terminology. British Phycological Journal 7: 139-163.

Image Credit: Sarah Spaulding

Scanning electron micrograph of the internal side of a valve of Stephanodiscus. The areolae are covered internally by domed cribra. A single domed cribrum is indicated by the arrow.