lophophore

[ lof-uh-fawr, -fohr, loh-fuh- ]

noun

1. the ring of ciliated tentacles encircling the mouth of a bryozoan or phoronid.
2. a similar organ in a brachiopod, composed of two ciliated, spirally coiled tentacles.

lophophore

/ ˈləʊfəˌfɔː /

noun

1. a circle or horseshoe of ciliated tentacles surrounding the mouth and used for the capture of food in minute sessile animals of the phyla Brachiopoda, Phoronida, and Ectoprocta

lophophore

/ lŏf′ə-fôr′ /

1. A horseshoe-shaped ciliated organ located near the mouth of brachiopods, bryozoans, and phoronids that is used to gather food.

Derived Forms

• ˌlophoˈphorate, adjective

Other Words From

• lo·phoph·o·ral [l, uh, -, fof, -er-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lophophore¹

1840–50; < Greek lóph ( os ) a crest, ridge + -o- -o- + -phore

Example Sentences

Collar A longitudinally pleated circular membrane capable of being thrust out of the orifice in advance of the lophophore and of closing together inside the zoœcium above the tentacles when they are retracted.

From Project Gutenberg

Intertentacular organ A ciliated tube running between the cavity of the zoœcium and the external base of the lophophore.

From Project Gutenberg

Orifice The aperture through which the lophophore can be protruded from or retracted into the zoœcium.

From Project Gutenberg

Retractor muscles The muscles by the action of which the lophophore can be pulled back into the zoœcium.

From Project Gutenberg

I have seen a worm of the genus Ch�togaster devouring the tentacles of a polypide that had been accidentally injured, but as a rule the movements of the lophophore are too quick to permit attacks of the kind, and I know of no active enemy of the genus.

From Project Gutenberg