Cerci. Paired appendages, often sensory, at hind end of abdomen of many insects. ‘Forceps’ of earwigs are modified cerci.

Cere. That portion of the base of the upper mandible of the bill in birds which is swollen and appears waxy.

Cerebellum. The part of the vertebrate brain concerned with the coordination and regulation of muscle activity and the maintenance of muscle tone and balance. In mammals it consists of two connected hemispheres, composed of a core of white matter and a much-folded outer layer of gray matter, and is situated above the medulla oblongata and partly beneath the cerebrum.

Cerebral Cartex. The layer of gray matter (q.v.) rich in synapses, superficial to white matter, present in cerebral hemispheres of amniotes, and some anamniotes, but really extensive only in mammals.

Cerebral Hemispheres.
Either of the two halves of the vertebrate cerebrum.

It is a solution of the small molecules of the blood (salt, glucose, etc. ;though not in the same concentration as in the blood) almost devoid of protein and containing very few cells. About 100ml is present in man. Its function is to protect the central nervous system from mechanical injury.

Cerumen. Ear wax. Secretion of skin glands (perhaps modified sweat glands) of external ear passage in mammals.

Cervical. (Adj.)
Of the neck, or of the cervix of the uterus. C vertebrae have reduced or absent ribs; they are concerned with the movement of heads. Mammals (even giraffes) are peculiar in having seven and humans have 12, whatever the length of their neck, with the exception of the manatee (Manatus, order Sirenia, 6) and two kinds of sloth (Bradypus, 9 or 10, Choloepus, 6.)