Commensal


Commensal: 1. Living in a relationship in which one organism derives food or other benefits from another organism without hurting or helping it. Commensal bacteria are part of the normal flora in the mouth.
2. An intimate relationship. The Norway rat, roof rat, and house mouse are considered commensal rodents because of their intimate relationships with humans.

From the Latin prefix com- (with, together, jointly) + the Latin adjective mensalis (of the table). Commensal people eat together at the same table.

Read Also:

  • Comedones

    The plural of comedo, the primary sign of acne, consisting of a dilated (widened) hair follicle filled with keratin squamae (skin debris), bacteria, and sebum (oil). Comedones may be closed or open. A closed comedo has an obstructed opening to the skin and may rupture to cause a low-grade skin inflammatory reaction in the area. […]

  • Comminuted fracture

    A fracture in which a bone is broken, splintered, or crushed into a number of pieces.

  • Common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen

    Common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen: (CALLA) A cell surface enzyme with neutral metalloendopeptidase activity that serves as a marker for the common form of ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) as well as for Burkitt lymphoma and follicular germinal center lymphoma. CALLA is normally present on the surface of early lymphoid cells as well as on a […]

  • Common bile duct

    Common bile duct: The duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). The common bile duct is formed by the junction of the cystic duct, from the gallbladder, and the common hepatic duct, from the liver.

  • Common cold

    A contagious viral upper respiratory tract infection. The common cold can be caused by many different types of viruses, and the body can never build up resistance to all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. Going out into cold weather has no effect on causing a cold. Antibiotics do […]


Disclaimer: Commensal definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.