Secreting by discharge of the contents of the cell, as in mucous cells. [G. ptyo, to spit out, + krino, to separate]
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pty·oc·ri·nous (ti-okґrĭ-nəs) [Gr. ptyon a winnowing shovel, or fan + krinein to separate] elaborating secretion in the form of granules that are eventually extruded; said of unicellular glands such as goblet cells that secrete in this way. Cf. diacrinous.Medical dictionary. 2011.