Cell Component
membrane Audio
mem·brane [ mem-breyn ]
Etymology:
Latin membrana = skin or parchment
Used in many branches of medicine, but in obstetrics of the fetal membranes which surround the fetus.
Definitions related to membrane:
  • A lipid bilayer along with all the proteins and protein complexes embedded in it and attached to it.
    Gene Ontology Dictionary
    Gene Ontology Consortium, 2021
  • A thin layer of tissue that surrounds or lines organs or cavities.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • Biological membranes; do not confuse with ARTIFICIAL MEMBRANE.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Membrane, in biology, the thin layer that forms the outer boundary of a living cell or of an internal cell compartment. The outer boundary is the plasma membrane, and the compartments enclosed by internal membranes are called organelles. Biological membranes have three primary functions: (1) they...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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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.