patagium

Noun

pa=ta=gi=um

CIDE DICTIONARY

patagium, n. [L., an edge or border.].

In bats, an expansion of the integument uniting the fore limb with the body and extending between the elongated fingers to form the wing; in birds, the similar fold of integument uniting the fore limb with the body. [1913 Webster]
One of a pair of small vesicular organs situated at the bases of the anterior wings of lepidopterous insects. See Illust. of Butterfly. [1913 Webster]

patagium, n. (pl. patagia) Zool.
1 the wing-membrane of a bat or similar animal.
2 a scale covering the wing-joint in moths and butterflies.

Etymology

med.L use of L patagium f. Gk patageion gold edging