Brood sac

Pronunciation
/BROOD-sak/
Category
Parasitology
Singular
Brood sac
Plural
Brood sacs

Definition

A protective chamber used by some parasitic flatworms, such as trematodes, to house their developing larvae. The term is not typically used in the context of insect reproduction.

Etymology

From the Old English 'broed' meaning 'brood' and 'sac', referring to a pouch or sac.

Example

The trematode develops its larval form within the brood sac inside the host snail.

Related Terms