ciliary
/'siliəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to cilia: Pertaining to or resembling cilia, which are microscopic, hair-like structures that project from the surface of certain cells. These structures often move in a coordinated way.
- Relating to the eyelashes: Of or relating to the eyelashes (which are a type of cilium).
- Relating to the eye structure: Specifically pertaining to the ciliary body, a part of the eye that contains the muscle which controls the shape of the lens and produces aqueous humor.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The ciliary motion of paramecia helps them move through water. (This describes the movement created by cell projections.)
- An infection can cause ciliary redness and swelling. (This refers to the area of the eyelashes.)
- The ciliary muscle adjusts the focus of the eye. (This refers specifically to the anatomical structure in the eye.)
Advanced Usage
- "Ciliary beat": The rhythmic movement of cilia on a cell's surface.
- The ciliary beat frequency is crucial for clearing mucus from the airways.
- "Ciliary process": Refers to the folds on the inner surface of the ciliary body in the eye.
- The ciliary processes secrete the aqueous fluid in the eye.
Variants and Related Words
- Cilium (noun, singular): A microscopic hair-like structure on a cell; an eyelash.
- Each cilium moves in a wave-like pattern.
- Cilia (noun, plural): The plural form of cilium.
- The cell is covered in fine cilia.
- Ciliopathy (noun): A genetic disorder affecting the function of cilia.
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a type of ciliopathy.
Synonyms
- Eyelash-related: (for the eyelash sense) palpebral.
- Hair-like: filamentous, flagellar (though flagella are structurally different, they are similar whip-like appendages).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Not typically applicable for this adjective. It does not form standard phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
(Not typically applicable for this technical adjective.)
Adjective
- of or relating to the human eyelash
- of or relating to cilia projecting from the surface of a cell
- relating to the ciliary body and associated structures of the eye