ctenidium
/tɪˈnɪdɪəm
/noun (plural ctenidia /tɪˈnɪdɪə/) Zoology
A comb-like structure, especially a respiratory organ or gill in a mollusc, consisting of an axis with a row of projecting filaments.Meanwhile, Pelseneer had come up with a classification of bivalves based on the structure of the ctenidia....
- Chaetoderms lack pedal grooves, have ctenidia paired in a small posterior mantle cavity, have a cuticular shield around the mouth and the stomach and digestive glands are separate.
- Polyplacophorans have six to 88 pairs of bipectinate ctenidia, the number of which is typically not species specific, increasing as the individual grows.
Origin
Late 19th century; modern Latin, from Greek ktenidion, diminutive of kteis, kten- 'comb'.