basipterygium

noun

ba·​sip·​ter·​yg·​i·​um
-jēəm
plural basipterygia
-jēə
: a basal bone or cartilage forming a support of one of the paired fins of a fish:
a
: a large cartilage supporting the radialia in ganoids and selachians
b
: a large bone supporting the rays of a pelvic fin in teleosts
c
: the posterior member of a group of three such supporting elements in certain fishes compare mesopterygium, metapterygium, propterygium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from basi- + Greek pterygion fin, literally, small wing

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Cite this Entry

“Basipterygium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basipterygium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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