pearl

(perl) 1. A small calcareous concretion from various species of mollusks, formerly regarded as having sovereign curative powers. 2. A small medicated granule; also a gla globule with a single dose of volatile medicine. 3. Any one of the rounded ma es of tough sputum seen in the early stages of an attack of bronchial asthma. epidermic p’s, epithelial p’s, rounded concentric ma es of epithelial cells found in certain papillomata and epitheliomata. Called also pearly bodies. Epstein’s p’s, small, whitish-yellow ma es on either side of the raphé of the hard palate of the new-born. gouty p., a sodium urate concretion on the cartilage of the ear in gouty persons. Laénnec's p’s, soft casts of the smaller bronchial tubes expectorated in bronchial asthma.