epibranchial
- noun
- /ˌɛpɪˈbræŋkiəl/
- Specialized
- The epibranchial bone supports the gills in many fish species.
Examples
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In salmon, the epibranchial cartilage is crucial for breathing.
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Damage to the epibranchial can affect the movement of the gills in some aquatic animals.
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The pale epibranchial lay between the gill arches in the preserved fish specimen on the tray.
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Scientists studied the structure of the epibranchial to understand fish evolution.
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The pale epibranchial lay between the gill arches in the preserved fish specimen on the tray.
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Scientists studied the structure of the epibranchial to understand fish evolution.
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Damage to the epibranchial can affect the movement of the gills in some aquatic animals.
Surface Forms
Morphology
epibranchial = branchial (opaque) = epi + branchi + al
The word is built from a technical Greek prefix and a specialized gill-related base, so the meaning is not readily recoverable for an average learner.
Etymology
Epibranchial breaks into epi- meaning 'on' or 'above' and branchia meaning 'gills', the same idea as the common English word 'gill'. So, as a noun it names a bone or piece of cartilage that sits 'above a gill arch' in fish and similar animals.
