capsule (redirected from auditory capsule)

capsule /cap·sule/ (kap´sul)

1. an enclosing structure, as a soluble container enclosing a dose of medicine.

2. a cartilaginous, fatty, fibrous, membranous structure enveloping another structure, organ, or part.cap´sular

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adipose renal capsule  the investment of fat surrounding the fibrous capsule of the kidney, continuous at the hilum with the fat in the renal sinus.

articular capsule  joint capsule; the saclike envelope enclosing the cavity of a synovial joint.

auditory capsule  the cartilaginous capsule of the embryo that develops into the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.

bacterial capsule  an envelope of gel surrounding a bacterial cell, usually polysaccharide but sometimes polypeptide in nature; it is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria.

cartilage capsule  a basophilic zone of cartilage matrix bordering on a lacuna and its enclosed cartilage cells.

external capsule  the layer of white fibers between the putamen and claustrum.

fibrous renal capsule  the connective tissue investment of the kidney, continuous through the hilum to line the renal sinus.

Glisson's capsule  the connective tissue sheath accompanying the hepatic ducts and vessels through the hepatic portal.

glomerular capsule , capsule of glomerulus the globular dilatation forming the beginning of a uriniferous tubule within the kidney and surrounding the glomerulus.

internal capsule  a fanlike mass of white fibers separating the lentiform nucleus laterally from the head of the caudate nucleus, the dorsal thalamus, and the tail of the caudate nucleus medially.

joint capsule  articular c.

capsule of lens  the elastic envelope covering the lens of the eye.

optic capsule  the embryonic structure from which the sclera develops.

otic capsule  the skeletal element enclosing the inner ear mechanism. In the human embryo, it develops as cartilage at various ossification centers and becomes completely bony and unified at about the 23rd week of fetal life.

renal capsules  the investing tissue around the kidney, divided into the fibrous renal capsule and the adipose renal capsule.

Tenon's capsule  the connective tissue enveloping the posterior eyeball.

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cap·sule (kpsl, -sl)

n.

1. A fibrous, membranous, or fatty sheath that encloses an organ or part, such as the sac surrounding the kidney or the fibrous tissues that surround a joint.

2. A small soluble container, usually made of gelatin, that encloses a dose of an oral medicine or a vitamin.

3. The thin-walled, spore-containing structure of mosses and related plants.

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capsu·lar (kps-lr) adj.

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capsule

[kap′syəl, kap′səl] , pl. capsuli,

Etymology: L, capsula, little box

1 a small soluble container, usually made of gelatin, used for enclosing a dose of medication for swallowing. Compare tablet.

2 a membranous shell surrounding certain microorganisms, such as the pneumococcus bacterium.

3 a well-defined anatomic structure that encloses an organ or part, such as the capsule of the adrenal gland. Also called capsula.

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capsule

1. an enclosing structure, as a soluble container enclosing a dose of medicine.

2. a cartilaginous, fatty, fibrous or membranous structure enveloping another structure, organ or part.

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adipose renal capsule

the investment of fat surrounding the fibrous capsule of the kidney, continuous at the hilus with the fat in the renal sinus.

articular capsule

the saclike envelope that encloses the cavity of a synovial joint by attaching to the circumference of the articular end of each involved bone.

bacterial capsule

a gelatinous layer of polysaccharide surrounding a bacterial cell, usually polysaccharide but sometimes polypeptide in nature; it inhibits phagocytosis and is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria.

Bowman's capsule

glomerular capsule.

brain c's

two layers of white matter in the substance of the brain. See also external capsule (below) and internal capsule (below).

external capsule

the layer of white fibers between the putamen and claustrum.

fibrous renal capsule

the connective tissue investment of the kidney, which continues through the hilus to line the renal sinus.

Glisson's capsule

a sheath of connective tissue accompanying the hepatic ducts and vessels within the liver.

glomerular capsule

the globular dilatation forming the beginning of a uriniferous tubule within the kidney, and surrounding the glomerulus. Called also Bowman's capsule and malpighian capsule.

heart capsule

pericardium.

internal capsule

the fanlike mass of white fibers separating the lentiform nucleus laterally from the head of the caudate nucleus, the dorsal thalamus, and the tail of the caudate nucleus medially.

joint capsule

articular capsule.

lens capsule

the elastic sac enclosing the lens of the eye.

malpighian capsule

see glomerular capsule (above).

Tenon's capsule

the connective tissue enveloping the posterior eyeball. Called also vagina bulbi.

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capsule

Pharmacology A solid dosage form of a drug in which the drug is enclosed in a hard or soft soluble container or shell of an appropriate gelatin. See Microcapsule.