‖ parabranchia
(pærəˈbræŋkɪə)
[para-1.]
The modified osphradium of certain gastropod molluscs, considered as a secondary branchia or gill. Hence paraˈbranchial a., of or pertaining to a parabranchia; paraˈbranchiate a., furnished with a parabranchia.
| 1883 E. R. Lankester in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 648/1 The right olfactory organ only is retained, and may assume the form of a comb-like ridge to the actual left of the ctenidium or branchial plume. It has been erroneously described as the second gill, and is known as the parabranchia. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 479 In some Azygobranchia the osphradium is large, thrown into folds, and is generally taken for a second but reduced ctenidium (parabranchia). |