Part 167

PER´FORATE, a. Pierced through. (Said especially of the nostrils when without a septum.)

PERICAR´DIUM, n. Bag holding the heart.

PERICRA´NIUM, n. Soft parts enclosing the skull; especially the periosteum of the bones.

PERIOS´TEUM, n. Membranous investment of bone.

PERIPHERAL PARTS, n. pl. Superficial, as opposed to interior, parts.

PERIPH´ERY, n. Superficies; contour.

PERISTAL´TIC, a. Denoting the peculiar motion of the intestines by which their contents are urged onward; the peristole.

PERITONE´UM, n. Thin smooth serous membrane lining the belly, and investing most of the contained organs.

PERONE´AL, a. Pertaining to the fibula.

PERONE´US, a. for n. Name of a fibular muscle.

PER´VIOUS, a. Open. Used synonymously with perforate in respect of the nostrils, but better restricted to the opposite of impervious or closed (as to an external opening).

PES, n.; pl. pedes (which see). Foot. (96.)

PES´SULUS, n. Cross-bone of the syrinx; bony bar across lower end of windpipe, at point of forking into the bronchi.

PETRO´SAL, a. (Used substantively.) Same as petrous.

PE´TROUS, a. Stony; hence, hard. The petrous bone is an element of the temporal bone.

PHA´LANX, n.; pl. phalan´ges. Commonly any bone of a finger or toe. Equivalent to internode or joint (not articulation). Properly in such application lacking the singular number, phalanges being the row or series of the small digital bones, taken collectively. (120.)

PHARYNGE´AL, a. Pertaining to the pharynx.

PHAR´YNX, n. Back compartment of the mouth, leading directly into the œsophagus.

PHREN´IC, n. Pertaining to the diaphragm.

PHYS´ICAL, a. Bodily; material. Opposed to mental or psychical.

PHYSIOG´NOMY, n. Countenance, in respect to temper of mind; general appearance, in respect to habits.

PHYSIOL´OGY, n. Science of animal or vegetable economy; science of bodily functions, processes, operations. It is less comprehensive than biology, or the science of life, as it takes account only of material or physical, not psychical, offices.

PI´A MA´TER, n. Soft vascular membrane immediately investing the brain.

PI´CINE, a. Woodpecker-like.

PICTU´RA, n. Pattern of coloring.

PIG´MENT, n. Coloring-matter.

PIL´EUS (also written pileum), n. The cap; top of head from base of bill to nape. (30.)

PIN´EAL BODY, n. A small organ associated with the brain.