endostyle

noun

en·do·style | \ ˈen-dō-ˌstī(-ə)l

\

Definition of endostyle

: a pair of parallel longitudinal folds projecting into the pharyngeal cavity in lower chordates (such as the tunicates) that secrete mucus for trapping food particles

Examples of endostyle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike spiders that spin their feeding webs, these grazers have a special organ, called an endostyle, that secretes their mucous mesh. — Kelly Sutherland, Smithsonian, "These Strange Ocean Creatures Trap Their Food In a Net of Mucus," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endostyle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of endostyle was in 1854

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