CRYPTOCYST

cryptocyst: translation

n. [Gr. kryptos, hidden; kystis, bladder]

(BRYOZOA: Gymnolaemata)

1. One of the two basic wall morphologies of bryozoans consisting of wholly interior walls, leaving a superficial hypostegal coelom uniting contiguous zooids; see gymnocyst.

2. A calcareous plate that functions as a hydrostatic organ in Cheilostomata; cryptocystal adj..