Bran`chi*os"te*gal (?), a. [Gr. gill + to cover: cf. F. branchiostege.] Anat.

Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes.

-- n. Anat.

A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of Branchial arches in Appendix.

⇒ This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes having boneless branchiae. But the arrangement was artificial, and has been rejected.

 

© Webster 1913.

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