Cribriform, spelled /kraɪˈbrɪfɔːrm/, is an adjective used to describe a porous or perforated structure. The word is derived from the Latin word "cribrum" which means sieve or strainer. In IPA notation, the "cr" sound is pronounced as /kr/, followed by the long "i" sound /aɪ/ and the stress on the "br" syllable /ˈbrɪ/. The ending "form" is pronounced as /fɔːrm/. Understanding the IPA notation can help in accurately pronouncing and spelling complex scientific terminology.
Cribriform is an adjective that refers to a porous or sieve-like structure. It describes something that has multiple small openings or perforations arranged in a pattern resembling a sieve or sieve plate. The term incorporates the Latin word "cribrum," which means sieve.
In anatomy, the term is commonly used to describe certain structures in bones, glands, or tissues. For instance, the cribriform plate is a thin, sieve-like structure located at the base of the skull that separates the nasal cavity from the brain. This plate contains numerous small perforations, allowing for the passage of olfactory nerves and the transmission of the sense of smell.
Moreover, the term "cribriform" is also employed to describe certain pathology findings. A cribriform pattern, for example, is a histological pattern characterized by the presence of closely arranged and irregularly shaped glandular spaces with intervening solid areas. This pattern can be observed in various diseases, particularly in certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. The presence of a cribriform pattern in histopathological examination often has important diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Overall, cribriform signifies a structure or pattern characterized by multiple small holes or perforations, often arranged in a sieve-like manner. Whether referring to anatomical structures or pathological features, this term emphasizes the porous nature of the object or tissue in question.
Sieve-like; containing many perforations.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Like a sieve.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "cribriform" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "cribrosus", which means "sieve-like" or "perforated". "Cribriform" is ultimately derived from the Latin noun "cribrum", meaning "sieve". The term is generally used in anatomy and biology to describe a structure or tissue that has small perforations or holes resembling a sieve.