siphuncle

[sahy-fuhng-kuh l]

noun

(in a nautilus) the connecting tube that passes from the end of the body through all of the septa to the innermost chamber.
Entomology. an aphid cornicle.

Origin of siphuncle

1895–1900; < Latin sīp(h)unculus small tube through which water is forced, equivalent to sīp(h)ōn-, stem of sīp(h)ō siphon + -culus -cule¹ (see carbuncle)

Related formssi·phun·cu·lar, si·phun·cu·late

[sahy-fuhng-kyuh-lit] /saɪˈfʌŋ kyə lɪt/, si·phun·cu·lat·ed

[sahy-fuhng-kyuh-ley-tid] /saɪˈfʌŋ kyəˌleɪ tɪd/, adjective

Examples from the Web for siphuncle

Historical Examples of siphuncle

In Ammonoids the siphuncle is always marginal, and usually external.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6
Various
It is peculiar to the louse tribe (Pediculid), and it consists of the tubulet (Tubulus), and siphuncle (Siphunculus).
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)
William Kirby
The siphuncle in the Nautilus pierces the centres of the septa, and in fossil Nautiloids it is usually central or sub-central.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6
Various
Shell straight or curved, fusiform, aperture simple, siphuncle contracted at septa.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6
Various
Shell coiled in one plane, aperture wide and simple, siphuncle central.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6
Various