ctenidium

American  

[ti-nid-ee-uhm] / tɪˈnɪd i əm /

noun

Zoology.

plural

ctenidia

1. any of various comblike or featherlike structures, as the row of stiff bristles on the legs of a psocid.

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ctenidium British  

/ tɪˈnɪdɪəm /

noun

1. one of the comblike respiratory gills of molluscs

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Other Word Forms

• ctenidial adjective

Etymology

Origin of ctenidium

From New Latin, dating back to 1880–85; see origin at cteno-, -idium

Example Sentences

No ctenidium, but a pulmonary cavity; heart with a single auricle, not traversed by the rectum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

The freely projecting ctenidium of typical form not having its axis fused to the roof of the branchial chamber is the notable character of this genus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

Many Opisthobranchia have by a process of atrophy lost the typical ctenidium and the mantle-skirt, and have developed other organs in their place.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

Without shell and operculum, but with pallial cavity and ctenidium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various

Shell external and conical; anterior tentacles form a frontal veil; ctenidium extending only over right side; a distinct osphradium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various