GLOSSARY 495 



Polyhe'dral. [From the Gr. -polys, " many," and hedra, a " side."] 



Many-sided. 

 Polysaccharid. From the Gr. polys, "many," and Lat. saccharum, 

 "sugar."] A complex sugar, which when decomposed gives many 

 molecules of a simple sugar. 

 Poplite'al. [From the Lat. poples, poplitis, the " ham," the " back part 

 of the knee."] The space behind the knee-joint is called the popliteal 

 space. 

 Premo'lar. [From the Lat. proe, " before," and molaris, " molar."] An- 

 terior in position to a molar ; as premolar tooth. 

 Prismat'ic. Resembhng a prism, which, in optics, is a sohd, triangular- 

 shaped glass body. 

 Prona'tion. [From the Lat. pronus, " incUned forwards."] The turning 



of the hand with the palm downward. 

 Prona'tor. The group of muscles which turn the hand palm down- 

 ward. 

 Pro'toplasm. [From the Gr. protos, " first," and plasso, to " form."] 



X first -formed, organized substance; primitive organic cell matter. 

 Pso'as Mag'nus. [From the Gr. psoa, " loin," and Lat. magnus, " great."] 



A muscle of the loins and pelvis. The tenderloin. 

 Psy'chical. [From the Gr. psyche, the " soul."] Pertaining to the mind. 

 Pter'ygoid. [From the Gr. pterux, a " wing," and eidos, " form," " re- 

 semblance."] Wing-Uke. 

 Pty'alin. [From the Gr. ptyalon, " saliva."] A ferment principle in 



saliva, having power to convert starch into sugar. 

 Pu'berty. [From the Lat. pvher, " adult."] The age at which re- 

 production becomes possible; sexual maturity in the human 

 race. 

 Pu'bes, gen. Pu'bis. [Lat.] The hairy region above the genitals, also 

 used for os pubis, the portion of the os innominatum forming the 

 front of the pelvis. 

 Pul'monary. [From the Lat. pulmo, pi. pulmones, the " lungs."] Re- 

 lating to the lungs. 

 Pulse. [From the- Lat. pello, pulsum, to " beat."] The striking of an 

 artery against the finger, occasioned by the contraction of the heart ; 

 commonly felt at the wrist. 

 Pylo'rus. [From the Gr. pvlouros, a " gate keeper."] The lower orifice 

 of the stomach, furnished Avith a circular valve which closes during 

 stomach digestion. 



