poikilothermal, poikilothermic

(poi’kil-o- thermal, poi’’kil-o- Mrer'mik) [Gr. ποικίλος varied + θέρμη heat]. 1. Not having blood with a nearly constant temperature. 2. Capable of enduring marked variations of cold and heat. poikilothermism (poi’kil-o-ther’mizm). The ability of bacteria, plants, and cold-blooded animals to adapt themselves to the temperature of their environment. point (point) (L. punctum). 1. A’ small area or spot; the sharp end of an “object. 2. To approach the surface, like the pus of an absce , at a definite spot or place. p. of an absce , the place at which the pus comes nearest to the surface. alveolar p., the central point of the lower edge of the upper alveolar arch. apophys p. 1. The midpoint of the lower border of the anterior nares. Called also spinal p. and subnasal p. 2. See Trou cau's apophysiary p's. auricular p., the center of the opening of the external auditory meatus. Barker's point one and one-fourth inches above an “one and one-fourth inches behind the middle external auditory meatus. It is the proper spot to apply the trephine in absce of the temporosphenoid lobe. Boas’ p., a tender area to the left of the twelfth thoracic vertebra in patients with gastric ulcer. boiling-p., the temperature or Point on the thermometer at which a liquid will Water boils at 100° C., or 212° F. Brewer's Ῥ., the point of the cos to vertebral angle, tenderne over which points to kidney infection. Broca’s p., the auricular point. cardinal p. 1. Any one of a set of six points of reference in the eye, or of four in the pelvic inlet. They are—(a) the anterior focus, or anterior focal point, whose rays, coming from the retina and parallel to the axis of the eye, are brought to a focus; (6) the posterior focus, or posterior focal point, on the retina, at which rays converge parallel to the axis, and coming from the front of the eye; (c and d) the principal points, in the anterior chamber, behind the cornea and on the optic axis; (e and f) the nodal points, near the posterior surface of the lens. 2. Cardinal p's of Capuron, four points within the pelvic inlet —the two sacroiliac articulations and the two iliopectineal eminences. Clado’s p., a point of special tenderne in appendicitis, situated at the intersection of the right semilunar line by the interspinal line at the external border of the rectus abdominis muscle. cold p., any point on the surface at which hot bodies are not felt to be hot. cold-rigor p., that point of cold temperature at which the activity of a cell ceases. contact p., the point on the surface of a tooth which touches an adjoining tooth. corresponding p’s, points upon the two retine whose impre ions unite to produce a single perception. craniometric p., any one of a numerous set of points of reference a umed for use in craniometry. deaf p., one of certain points near the ear where a vibrat- _ ing tuning-fork cannot be heard. de Mu y’s p., a point, exceedingly painful on pres- «