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Radula |
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radula [′raj·ə·lə]
(invertebrate zoology) A filelike ribbon studded with horny or chitinous toothlike structures, found in the mouth of all classes of mollusks except Bivalvia. Radula an apparatus in mollusks, except bivalves, that rasps off and tears up food. The radula consists of a chitinous basal ribbon that lies on the surface of the tongue, the muscular out growth of the ventral wall of the pharynx. It is covered with cross rows of numerous, up to 75,000, chitinous teeth, the number, shape, and position of which serve as taxonomic criteria. The radula works like a dredge equipped with scoops. Its main function is to allow the mollusk to rasp off the food, which is then swallowed. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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