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

As the ants start to attack, the larva tenses its muscles and expels a drop of bright red fluid known as hemolymph.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 15, 2024

And the hemolymph, the researchers found, proved to be an effective defense against hungry ants.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 12, 2024

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

Most mollusks have an open circulatory system with a heart that circulates the hemolymph in open spaces around the organs.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013