branchiostegal

1 definition found

branchiostegal - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Branchiostegal \Bran`chi*os"te*gal\, a. [Gr. ? gill + ? to
     cover: cf. F. branchiost[`e]ge.] (Anat.)
     Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes. --
     n. (Anat.) A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of
     Branchial arches in Appendix.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes
           having boneless branchi[ae]. But the arrangement was
           artificial, and has been rejected.
           [1913 Webster]