The A to Z of Anatomical Histological and Medical terms
Pia mater (PE-ah MA-tehr) The innermost of the three meninges
A
surrounding the brain and SC.
B
pilomotor: Lt. pilus = a hair, and movere = to move; the action of
the arrectores pilorum muscles. C
pilus: Lt. = a hair.
Pineal (pie-NEE-ahl) gland a small endocrine gland located at the
D
posterior end of the diencephalon, forming a part of the roof of the
E
third ventricle. (also = the epithalamus).
pineal: adj. Lt. pinea = a pine cone; hence, the pineal gland which
F
is cone-shaped.
G
Pinocytosis (pihn’-o-sih-TO-sihs) a type of exocytosis in which bulk
amounts of fluid are transported into the cell.
H
piriform: adj. Lt. pirum = a pear; hence, pear-shaped.
pisiform: adj. Lt. pisum = a pea; hence, pea-shaped.
I
pituitary: Lt. pituita = mucous or phlegm, the gland was thought J
to produce mucous which was discharged through the nose.
Pituitary (pih-TEW-ih-tahr-ee) gland a small, functionally important
K
endocrine gland located inferior to the hypothalamus and attached to
L
it by way of a short stalk. (also = the hypophysis).
placenta: Lt. = a flat, round cake.
M
placode: Gk. plax = plate or flat, and eidos = shape or form.
N
plan- flat level, to wander
plat- broad flat
O
plane: Lt. planus = flat; hence, a real or imaginary flat surface.
planta: Lt. the sole of the foot; adj.- plantar or plantaris.
P
plantar: adj. Lt. planta = the sole of the foot. Q
Plasma (PLAHZ-mah) the extracellular fluid that forms a portion of
blood.
R
Plasma membrane a microscopic barrier associated with cells
S
composed mainly of a phospholipid bilayer and protein. The outer
plasma membrane of a cell is also called the cell membrane.
T
Platelet (PLA-teh-leht) a formed element of blood that is active in
U
blood clot formation.
platysma: Gk. = flat object; the flat, subcutaneous muscle
V
extending from below the clavicle to the mouth.
pleo- many (plee-oh-)
W
pleur- lungs, respiratory X
Pleura (PLEW-rah) the serous membrane associated with the lungs.
It consists of an inner visceral layer and an outer parietal layer.
Y
pleura: Gk. = a rib. Later used to name the serous membrane
Z
lining the chest walls and the lungs.
© A. L. Neill 130
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