combining form of Gr. κύστις, CYST before vowels (cf. CYSTI-, CYSTO-): as Cystalgia [F. cystalgie; Gr. ἄλγος pain] Path., pain in the bladder, esp. of a spasmodic character. Cystectasy [Gr. ἔκτασις extension: see ECTASIS], dilatation of the bladder; spec. a form of lithotomy in which the neck of the bladder is dilated so as to allow of the removal of the stone. Cystelminth [Gr. ἕλμινς, ἑλμινθ- worm], a cystic worm. Cystenchyma, Cystenchyme [Gr. ἔγχυμα infusion], a kind of connective tissue occurring in some sponges, and presenting analogies to the parenchyma of plants; hence Cystenchymatous a. Cysthepatic a. (Anat.) [F. cysthépatique: see HEPATIC], applied to ducts supposed to pass directly from the liver to the gall-bladder.
1887. Sollas, Sponges, in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 419. A tissue, cystenchyme, which in some respects resembles certain forms of vegetable parenchyme, occurs in some sponges. Ibid. Cystenchyme very commonly forms a layer just below the skin of some Geodinidæ, particularly of Pachymatisma.
1678. Phillips, Cystepatick Arterie.
1839–47. Todd, Cycl. Anat., III. 176/1. Among the Chelonia the gall-bladder … receives its secretion through … cysthepatic ducts.
