| complement membrane attack complex | The assembly of complement plasma glycoproteins c5b, c6, c7, c8, and polymeric c9 as a group on biological membranes. The complex forms transmembrane channels which displace lipid molecules and other constituents, thus disrupting the phospholipid bilayer of target cells leading to cell lysis by osmotic leakage. The formation of the membrane attack complex is the terminal step in the complement cascade. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| plasma membrane | <cell biology> The external, limiting lipid bilayer membrane of cells. (31 Dec 1997) |
| platelet membrane glycoproteins | Surface glycoproteins on platelets which have a key role in haemostasis and thrombosis such as platelet adhesion and aggregation. Many of these are receptors. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mucous membrane | <pathology> The lubricated inner lining of the mouth, nasal passages, vagina and urethra, any membrane or lining which contains mucous secreting glands. (27 Sep 1997) |
| mucous membrane of tympanic cavity | The mucous layer of the tympanic cavity and the structures in it. Synonym: tunica mucosa cavitatis tympani, mucous membrane of tympanic cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pleuropericardial membrane | A tissue fold jutting into the right or left embryonic pericardioperitoneal canal; it separates the developing pericardium from the pleural cavity and is formed by the growth of the common cardinal veins to the midline of the body. Synonym: pericardiopleural membrane, pleuropericardial membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pleuroperitoneal membrane | A tissue fold jutting into the caudal portion of the embryonic pericardioperitoneal canal; it develops into the dorsal portion of the definitive diaphragm and is formed by the lungs growing caudally and the liver expanding cranially. Synonym: pleuroperitoneal membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Corti's membrane | A gelatinous membrane that overlies the spiral organ (Corti) in the inner ear. Synonym: membrana tectoria ductus cochlearis, Corti's membrane, tectorium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cricothyroid membrane | <anatomy> An elastic membrane which lies anteriorly in the neck adjacent the cricoid cartilage and the first tracheal ring. This is the membrane which is pierced or incised when performing a cricothyroidotomy. (13 Nov 1997) |
| cricotracheal membrane | <anatomy> A midline fibrous band connecting the cricoid cartilage with the first ring of the trachea. Synonym: ligamentum cricotracheale, cricotracheal membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cricovocal membrane | Thicker lower portion of the elastic membrane of the larynx, extending between the cricoid cartilage and the vocal ligaments, the latter actually being a thickening of the free, superior margin of the conus elasticus. Synonym: cricovocal membrane, elastic cone. Synonym: cricothyroid ligament. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior atlanto-occipital membrane | The fibrous membrane that attaches between the posterior arch of the atlas and the posterior margin of the foramen magnum. Synonym: membrana atlanto-occipitalis posterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| croupous membrane | <dermatology> A thick, tough fibrinous exudate on the surface of a mucous membrane or the skin, as seen in diphtheria. Synonym: croupous membrane, neomembrane, plica, pseudomembrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| posterior recess of tympanic membrane | A narrow pocket in the tympanic wall between the posterior malleolar fold and the tympanic membrane. Synonym: recessus membranae tympani posterior, Troltsch's pockets, Troltsch's recesses. (05 Mar 2000) |
| postsynaptic membrane | That part of the plasma membrane of a neuron or muscle fibre with which an axon terminal forms a synaptic junction; in many instances, at least part of such a small postsynaptic membrane patch shows characteristic morphological modifications such as greater thickness and higher electron-density, believed to correspond to the transmitter-sensitive receptor site of such synapses. (05 Mar 2000) |