chalaza

The chalaza (; ; : chalazas or chalazae ) is a structure inside bird eggs and plant ovules. It attaches or suspends the yolk or nucellus within the larger structure.

==In animals== thumb|The contents of a chicken egg with chalaza clearly visible. In the eggs of most birds (though not in eggs of reptiles), the chalazae are two spiral bands of tissue that suspend the yolk in the center of the white (the albumen). The function of the chalazae is to hold the yolk in place. In baking, the chalazae are sometimes removed in order to ensure a uniform texture.