hemolymph

American  

[hee-muh-limf, hem-uh-] / ˈhi məˌlɪmf, ˈhɛm ə- /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a fluid in the body cavities and tissues of invertebrates, in arthropods functioning as blood and in some other invertebrates functioning as lymph.

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hemolymph Scientific  

/ hē′mə-lĭmf′ /

1. The circulatory fluid of invertebrates, including all arthropods and most mollusks, that have an open circulatory system. Hemolymph is analogous to blood and lymph in vertebrate animals and is not confined in a system of vessels. Hemolymph consists of water, amino acids, inorganic salts, lipids, and sugars.

2. See more at circulatory system

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Other Word Forms

• hemolymphatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hemolymph

First recorded in 1880–85; hemo- + lymph

Example Sentences

Or scientists can use the insect's own "blood," a liquid called hemolymph: biofuel cells implanted on the organism can consume the sugars in its very own hemolymph to generate electricity to power the cyborg.

From Salon • May 13, 2025

Called hemolymph, the substance is chock-full of carminic acid, a toxic chemical that grants the liquid a bloodlike hue and prompts the ants to abandon their assault.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 12, 2024

This membrane acts as a filter between the brain and hemolymph, blocking potentially damaging molecules from reaching the central nervous system.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 14, 2023

This body fluid is called hemolymph, which is a sticky fluid similar to your blood that circulates throughout an ant's body.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2022

As the heart beats and the animal moves, the hemolymph circulates around the organs within the body cavity and then reenters the hearts through openings called ostia.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022