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cristae

noun, plural of crista

1. (anatomy) crests or ridges projecting from a surface, as in cristae cutis (dermal ridges on palms and soles)

2. (cell biology) the infoldings or inward projections of the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, which are studded with proteins and increase the surface area for chemical reactions to occur like cellular respiration

3. sensory epithelium of the vestibular system located within the inner ear, as in cristae ampullaris that sense angular acceleration and deceleration