Definitions

1. noun

A small sac or pouch in a cell, such as a muscle cell, containing myoglobin and used for storing oxygen.

“The muscle cells in the athlete’s body contained numerous cistae that allowed for efficient oxygen storage.”

2. noun

A pouch or sac in a plant, such as a moss or liverwort, that contains stored food or nutrients.

“The small cistae found in the liverwort plant served as a storage organ for its nutrients.”