pedicellaria

[ped-uh-suh-lair-ee-uh]

noun

Zoology.

plural

pedicellariae 

1. one of the minute pincerlike structures common to starfish and sea urchins, used for cleaning and to capture tiny prey.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedicellaria¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1870–75; pedicel, -aria

Example Sentences

The position of the pedicellariæ is quite different from that which they occupy in the Sea-urchin, where they are scattered singly between the spines and tentacles, though more regularly and closely grouped along the lines upon which the refuse food is moved off.

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Other pedicellariæ are scattered independently over the surface of the animal, but they are smaller than those forming the clusters and connected with the spines.

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The pedicellariæ on this Star-fish resemble large two-pronged clasps, arranged principally along the lower side.

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When open, these pedicellariæ may best be compared to a three-pronged fork, except that the prongs are arranged concentrically instead of on one plane, and, when closed, they fit into one another as neatly as the pieces of a puzzle.

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Pedicellariæ of Sea-urchin; s stem, p base of fork, t fork.

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