siphuncle

[sahy-fuhng-kuhl]

noun

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

2. Entomology.,  an aphid cornicle.

Other Word Forms

• siphuncular adjective
• siphunculate adjective
• siphunculated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of siphuncle¹

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 -cule ¹ ( carbuncle )

Example Sentences

They differ from the nautili in having the margins of the septa very much lobed or plaited, and the siphuncle dorsal.

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After Professor Owen. a a, Partitions; b b, chambers; b', the last-formed chamber, in which the animal lives; c c, the siphuncle; d, attaching muscle; e e, the hollow arms; f f, retractile tentacles; g, muscular disk, or foot; h, the eye; i, position of funnel.

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Carboniferous. a, Shell, reduced. b, Section, showing siphuncle.

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The others are empty, and are connected with the body of the animal only by a pipe, or siphuncle, with membranous walls and filled with fluid.

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The dotted line shows the position of the siphuncle.

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