clitellum

[ klahy-tel-uhm ]

noun,plural cli·tel·la [klahy-tel-uh]. /klaɪˈtɛl ə/.
  1. a ring or saddle-shaped region of glandular tissue in the body wall of certain annelids, as earthworms and some leeches, that after copulation secretes a cocoon in which the eggs and sperm are deposited for fertilization and development.

Origin of clitellum

1
1830–40; <New Latin, neuter noun based on Latin clītellae packsaddle

Words Nearby clitellum

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British Dictionary definitions for clitellum

clitellum

/ (klɪˈtɛləm) /


nounplural -la (-lə)
  1. a thickened saddle-like region of epidermis in earthworms and leeches whose secretions bind copulating worms together and later form a cocoon around the eggs

Origin of clitellum

1
C19: from New Latin, from Latin clītellae (plural) packsaddle

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