| crystallins | A heterogeneous family of water-soluble structural proteins found in cells of the vertebrate lens. The presence of these proteins accounts for the transparency of the lens. The family is composed of four major groups, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, and several minor groups, which are classed on the basis of size, charge, immunological properties, and vertebrate source. Alpha, beta, and delta crystallins occur in avian and reptilian lenses, while alpha, beta, and gamma crystallins occur in all other lenses. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| crystallised trypsin | A purified preparation of the pancreatic enzyme; used as an adjunct to surgery for debridement of necrotic wounds and ulcers. (05 Mar 2000) |
| crystallization | <chemistry> The formation of crystals, conversion to a crystalline form. (18 Nov 1997) |
| crystallogram | A photograph produced when X-rays are diffracted by a crystal. Origin: G. Krystallos, crystal, + gramma, something written (05 Mar 2000) |
| crystallography | The branch of science that deals with the geometric description of crystals and their internal arrangement. (12 Dec 1998) |
| crystallography, X-ray | The study of crystal structure using X-ray diffraction techniques. (12 Dec 1998) |
| crystalloid | 1. Resembling a crystal, or being such. 2. A body that in solution can pass through a semipermeable membrane, as distinguished from a colloid, which cannot do so. (05 Mar 2000) |
| crystallophobia | Synonym: hyalophobia. Origin: G. Krystallon, crystal, + phobos, fear (05 Mar 2000) |
| crystalluria | <nephrology> The excretion of crystals in the urine, producing renal irritation. Origin: Gr. Ouron = urine (18 Nov 1997) |
| crystals | Formations of small irregular solid material often composed of calcium, uric acid and phosphate. (27 Sep 1997) |