What is the difference between frenum and frenulum?
A frenum is a band of tissue that connects two bodily structures. A frenulum is simply a small frenum. Most healthcare providers use these terms interchangeably.
Both terms come from the Latin word “frēnulum,” which means “little bridle.”
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Chances are, you don’t think about your frenums very often. In fact, if you’ve never had anything wrong with them, you might not recognize the term at all.
Frenums are tiny bands of tissue with big jobs. They help babies breastfeed. They help toddlers learn how to form words. They keep your lips and tongue exactly where they should be, so you can eat, chew and speak without worry.
If you develop a sore or swollen frenum — or if your child has difficulty breastfeeding or speaking — tell your healthcare provider. If a frenum is the culprit, a simple procedure can usually help.
