cisterna

noun

cis·​ter·​na si-ˈstər-nə How to pronounce cisterna (audio)
plural cisternae si-ˈstər-ˌnē How to pronounce cisterna (audio)
: cistern sense 3: such as
a
: one of the large spaces under the arachnoid membrane
b
: one of the flattened vesicles comprising the Golgi apparatus and the part of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes
cisternal adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, reservoir

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cisterna was circa 1860

Dictionary Entries Near cisterna

Cite this Entry

“Cisterna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cisterna. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

cisterna

noun
cis·​ter·​na sis-ˈtər-nə How to pronounce cisterna (audio)
plural cisternae -ˌnē How to pronounce cisterna (audio)
: cistern: as
c
: one of the interconnected flattened vesicles or tubules comprising the endoplasmic reticulum
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