odontophore

[oh-don-tuh-fawr, -fohr]

noun

Zoology.

1. a structure in the mouth of most mollusks over which the radula is drawn backward and forward in the process of breaking up food.

odontophore

/ ˌɒdɒnˈtɒfərəl, ɒˈdɒntəˌfɔː /

noun

1. an oral muscular protrusible structure in molluscs that supports the radula

Other Word Forms

• odontophoral adjective
• odontophorine adjective
• odontophorous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of odontophore¹

First recorded in 1865–70, odontophore is from the Greek word odontophóros bearing teeth. See odonto-, -phore

Example Sentences

The odontophore also is remarkably developed, its lateral teeth being mobile, and it serves as an efficient organ for attacking the other pelagic forms on which the Heteropoda prey.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Indeed, were it not for their retention of the characteristic odontophore we should have little or no indication that such forms as Phyllirho� and Limapontia really belong to the Mollusca at all.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The interesting little Rhodope veranyii, which has no odontophore, has been associated by systematists both with these simplified Opisthobranchs and with Rhabdocoel Planarians.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Our figure of the nervous system of Aplysia does not give the small pair of buccal ganglia which are, as in all glossophorous Molluscs, present upon the nerves passing from the cerebral region to the odontophore.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The odontophore is powerfully developed; the radular sac is extraordinarily long, lying coiled in a space between the mass of the liver and the muscular foot.

Read more on Project Gutenberg