cisterna

noun cis·ter·na \sis-ˈtər-nə\

plural cis·ter·nae\-ˌnē\

Definition of CISTERNA

: cistern 3: as

a : one of the large spaces under the arachnoid membrane

b : one of the flattened vesicles comprising the Golgi apparatus and the part of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes

— cis·ter·nal \-nəl\ adjective

New Latin, from Latin, reservoir

First Known Use: circa 1860

Medical Dictionary

noun cis·ter·na \sis-ˈtər-nə\

plural cis·ter·nae \-ˌnē\

: cistern: as a : cisterna magna b : cisterna chyli c : one of the interconnected flattened vesicles or tubules comprising the endoplasmic reticulum

Next Word in the Dictionary: cistern of PecquetPrevious Word in the Dictionary: cisternAll Words Near: cisterna

What made you want to look up cisterna? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears