ctenidium

noun

cte·​nid·​i·​um

-ēəm

plural ctenidia

-ēə

1

: the gill of a mollusk consisting typically of a respiratory structure that resembles a comb or feather, has a main stem with lateral lamellae, and is developed from the inner side of the mantle

—distinguished from ceras

2

: a structure consisting of a row of spines resembling the teeth of a comb on the head or thorax, or both, of certain fleas

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from cten- + -idium

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