planarian

[pluh-nair-ee-uhn]

noun

Zoology.

1. any of various free-swimming, mostly freshwater flatworms of the class Turbellaria, having an undulating or sluglike motion: popular in laboratory studies for the ability to regenerate lost parts.

planarian

/ pləˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. any free-living turbellarian flatworm of the mostly aquatic suborder Tricladida, having a three-branched intestine

planarian

1. Any of various small, chiefly freshwater flatworms of the class Turbellaria, having soft, broad, ciliated bodies shaped like a leaf. Planarians have a mouth on their lower side that is often closer to the tail than the head, and a three-branched digestive cavity. If a planarian is cut into several pieces, each piece can grow into a whole new organism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of planarian¹

1885–60; < New Latin Planari ( a ) a flatworm genus (noun use of feminine of Late Latin plānārius level, on level ground; taken to mean “flat”; plane ¹, -ary + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of planarian¹

C19: from New Latin Plānāria type genus, from Late Latin plānārius level, flat; see _plane ¹

Example Sentences

However, new research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research shows that flatworm, or planarian, stem cells behave differently.

Read more on Science Daily

Sikes has been working with acoels for about 20 years, and their symbiotic relationship differentiates them from other animals that regenerate, like planarian flatworms and axolotls.

Read more on Science Daily

Solana and his group had previously focused on stem cells in a different type of worm: the planarian, or flatworm.

Read more on Science Daily

An even more striking example of this apparent “overall vision” of multicellular structures is found in primitive flatworms called planarians.

Read more on Scientific American

The research suggests that cellular guides hidden throughout the planarian body may make it possible for the worm’s newly grown neurons to retrace their steps.

Read more on New York Times