Lacuna

A lacuna is a gap or missing part within a material or structure. In fields like anthropology, it refers to an incomplete space in a historical record or fossil collection, where information is missing or unknown. In medicine, a lacuna can be a small cavity or depression, like a gap in tissue or bone. Overall, it signifies an absence or void in a system, which can affect understanding or function. Understanding lacunae helps researchers fill in the missing pieces or account for gaps in knowledge or structure.