cilium

cilium definition - medical

cil·i·um (sĭlˈē-əm)

noun pl. cil·i·a (-ē-ə)
  1. See eyelash.
  2. A microscopic hairlike process extending from the surface of a cell or unicellular organism, capable of rhythmical motion, and acting with other such structures to cause the movement of the cell or of the surrounding medium.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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