crista
(ˈkrɪstə)
Pl. cristæ.
[L., = crest.]
A ridge or crest; spec. in various anatomical and zoological senses.
| 1849–50 J. Weale Dict. Terms Archit., Crista, a crest; the apex or highest part of a shrine. 1889 Jrnl. Morphology III. 300 The crista, a cord-like ridge running the full length of the dorsal surface of the capsule. 1940 Proc. R. Soc. B. CXXIX. 257 The possibility of a two-way response of the cristae. 1964 J. Z. Young Model of Brain vi. 97 Each [statocyst] contains three main types of receptor: (1) a macula, vertically placed and carrying a statolith; (2) a ridge of cells with long hairs, the crista; [etc.]. |