lophophore

[ lof-uh-fawr, -fohr, loh-fuh- ]

noun

1. the ring of ciliated tentacles encircling the mouth of a bryozoan or phoronid.
2. a similar organ in a brachiopod, composed of two ciliated, spirally coiled tentacles.

lophophore

/ ˈləʊfəˌfɔː /

noun

1. a circle or horseshoe of ciliated tentacles surrounding the mouth and used for the capture of food in minute sessile animals of the phyla Brachiopoda, Phoronida, and Ectoprocta

lophophore

/ lŏf′ə-fôr′ /

1. A horseshoe-shaped ciliated organ located near the mouth of brachiopods, bryozoans, and phoronids that is used to gather food.

Derived Forms

• ˌlophoˈphorate, adjective

Other Words From

• lo·phoph·o·ral [l, uh, -, fof, -er-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lophophore¹

1840–50; < Greek lóph ( os ) a crest, ridge + -o- -o- + -phore

Example Sentences

One thing that ties together the different phyla of the group is their tentacle-like feeding tubes known as lophophores.

From Science News

Lophophore: The disk bearing the mouth and circlet of ciliated tentacles.

From Project Gutenberg

Lip which overhangs the mouth and runs all round the lophophore.

From Project Gutenberg

The lophophore and stalk are largely composed of this tissue.

From Project Gutenberg