pecten Any of various comblike structures in animals. The pecten in the eyes of birds consists essentially of a network of blood vessels attached to the optic nerve and projecting into the vitreous humour. Its function is uncertain, but it may be involved in supplying the retina with nutrients and oxygen. A simple form of this structure is found in the eyes of reptiles.

pecten comb-like structure. XVIII. — L. pecten, -in- comb, rel. to pectere, Gr. pékein comb (vb.), OE. feax, OHG. fahs hair.
So pectinate (-ATE2) formed like a comb. XVIII. — L.

pecten (pek-tin) n.
1. the middle section of the anal canal.

2. a sharp ridge on the upper branch of the pubis (part of the hip bone).
—pectineal (pek-tin-iăl) adj.