Cell
cell Audio
cell [ sel ]
Subclass of:
Anatomy (MeSH Category)
Etymology:
Latin cella = a small chamber
The word cell was introduced by the botanist Robert Hooke (1635-1703), who had observed cells in cork.
Definitions related to cells:
  • Anatomical structure that consists of cytoplasm surrounded by a plasma membrane, with or without the cell nucleus; together with other cells and intercellular matrix, it constitutes tissues. Examples: lymphocyte, fibroblast, erythrocyte, neuron.
    Digital Anatomist
    University of Washington, 2003
  • Anatomical structure, each instance of which has as its boundary the external surface of some maximally connected plasma membrane. Examples: lymphocyte, fibroblast, erythrocyte, neuron.
    Foundational Model of Anatomy
    University of Washington, 2017
  • Minute protoplasmic masses that make up organized tissue, consisting of a nucleus which is surrounded by protoplasm which contains the various organelles and is enclosed in the cell or plasma membrane; cells are the fundamental, structural, and functional units of living organisms.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • The basic building block of all living organisms.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The smallest units of living structure capable of independent existence, composed of a membrane-enclosed mass of protoplasm and containing a nucleus or nucleoid.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The fundamental, structural, and functional units or subunits of living organisms. They are composed of CYTOPLASM containing various ORGANELLES and a CELL MEMBRANE boundary.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • (set of cells) Anatomical set which has as its direct members cells of same type or of different types.
    Foundational Model of Anatomy
    University of Washington, 2017
  • Often thought of as the smallest unit of a living organism, a cell is made up of many even smaller parts, each with its own function. Human cells vary in size, but all are quite small. Even the largest, a fertilized egg, is too small to be seen with the naked eye.
    Merck Manuals
    Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.