rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycystSac in body tissue
noun

cyst

SIST/sɪst/

A closed sac enclosing biological material.

A smooth wall encloses the fluid-filled cyst beneath the skin.

Neutral medical cutaway of skin tissue shows one clearly enclosed fluid-filled sac beneath surface, thin smooth cyst wall, no labels.
Etymology
cystGreekbladder, pouch

Greek kystis meant a bladder or pouch. That image of a bodily container carries into the medical sense: an abnormal sac holding fluid or other material.

In context

Rahul Damania, MD83:25
Here is this Baker cyst that I was talking to you about.
HyGuru | USMLE Step 1: 100 Concepts in Gross Anatomy

More examples

  • The scan reveals a fluid-filled cyst on her ovary.
  • The surgeon removes two cysts from his scalp.
  • The organism forms a protective cyst and becomes dormant.

Forms

cyst · cysts

cystic adjective — Containing, resembling, or relating to cysts.

Similar words

sac
A broader term for any pouchlike structure in the body.
vesicle
Usually a small fluid-filled sac, especially within a cell.