- corneocyte e. an electron-dense, 10–15 nm thick layer of highly cross-linked protein on the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane of epidermal corneocytes; it is highly resistant to proteolytic agents. SYN: subplasmalemmal dense zone.
- nuclear e. the double membrane at the boundary of the nucleoplasm; it has regularly spaced pores covered by a disklike nuclear pore complex and a space or cisterna about 150 Å wide between the two layers; the outer membrane is continuous at intervals with the endoplasmic reticulum. SYN: caryotheca, karyotheca, nuclear membrane.
- viral e. the outer structure or coat that encloses the nucleocapsids of some viruses that mature by budding through the membrane cell; may contain lipoprotein.
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en·ve·lope 'en-və-.lōp, 'än- n a natural enclosing covering (as a membrane or integument)
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en·ve·lope (enґvə-lōp) [Old Fr. enveloper to wrap up] 1. an encompassing structure or membrane. 2. in virology, a lipoprotein bilayer surrounding the capsid of some viruses, acquired by budding through the cell membrane of the host cell; the lipids are derived from the host cell and the proteins are encoded by the virus. Called also peplos. 3. in bacteriology, the cell wall and the plasma membrane considered together.Medical dictionary. 2011.