| catenulate | 1. Like a chain, such as a chain of fungus spores or a colony of protozoa in which the individuals are joined end to end. Synonym: catenulate. 2. Surface of net zero curvature generated by the rotation of a catenary (curve of repose of a suspended chain); the interventricular septum of the heart in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis resembles a catenoid, which makes it ineffective in increasing intracavity pressure or in reducing its volume as defined in Laplace's law. Origin: L. Catena, chain, + G. Eidos, resemblance (05 Mar 2000) |
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