438 GLOSSARY 



Cuticle. (Dim. of cutis.) The epidermis (upper layer of skin). 



Cutis (skin). The derma or true skin. 



Cyanotic. Referring to cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin 

 and lips from deficient oxidation of the blood, caused by local or 

 general circulatory disturbance). 



Cylindrical. Having the form of a cylinder. 



Cystic. (From the Greek word meaning a pouch). Pertaining to 

 or resembling a pouch. Pertaining to the gall-bladder. 



Deciduous. (From the Latin words de, "from;" cadere, "to fall.) 

 Falling off. The deciduous teeth; temporary or milk teeth. 



Decussate. (From the Latin word decussatus, "crossed.") To 

 intersect, to cross. 



Decussation. (From the Latin word decussatio, a crossing.) An 

 X-shape crossing, especially of symmetric parts, as of nerve fibers, 

 nerve tracts. The chief decussations are that of the optic nerves in the 

 chiasm, and that of the crossed pyramidal tracts in the medulla. 



Defecation. The evacuation of the bowels. 



Deglutition. (From the Latin word deglutitio, "a swallowing.") 

 The act of swallowing, food, water, etc. 



Deltoid (muscle). Having the shape of the Greek letter Delta, A; 

 triangular. 



Dendraxones. Branching in appearance, like a tree. 



Dendrite. (From the Greek word meaning a tree.) Branching 

 like a tree. The processes of a nerve cell or neurone which increases 

 its functional surface for the conduction of nerve impulses. 



Dentations. Resembling the form of a tooth, as a toothed or serrated 

 edge. 



Dentoplasm. A tooth-like arrangement of the plasma. 



Depressors. (From the Latin word deprimere, "to depress.") A 

 group of muscles which depress or lower any bone or organs by their 

 contractions. 



Depressor Alae Nasi. Depressor of the wing of the nose. 



Depressor Anguli Oris. Depressor of the angle of the mouth. 



Depressor Labii Inferioris. Depressor of the lower lip. * 



Derma. (From the Greek word meaning the skin.) The true skin. 



Dextroses. (From the Latin word dexter, "right.") A group of 

 sugars that rotate polarized light to the right. 



Dialysis. The separation of several substances from each other in 

 solution by taking advantage of their different diffusibility through 

 porous membranes. Those that pass through readily are termed 

 crystalloids, those that do not colloids. 



Diaphragm. (From the Greek words meaning across and wall.) 

 The musculomembranous partition which separates the thorax from 

 the abdomen. 



Diapedesis. The passage of the blood through the unruptured 

 vessel wall. 



Diarthrosis. The connection of two bones admitting of free motion 

 between them, as at the articulations. 



Diastole. (From the Greek word meaning a drawing apart ) The 

 period of dilatation of a chamber of the heart. 



Diffuse. Scattered; not limited to one tissue or spot. 



Digastric (muscle). Having two bellies. 



