Hydrostatic skeleton
- Pronunciation
- /high-droh-STAT-ik SKEL-uh-tun/
- Category
- Physiology
- Singular
- Hydrostatic skeleton
- Plural
- Hydrostatic skeletons
Definition
A structural support system in many soft-bodied animals, including some arthropods, that relies on the pressure of fluid within a closed compartment to maintain shape and enable movement.
Etymology
From Greek 'hydro-', meaning 'water', and 'statikos', meaning 'causing to stand or stay'.
Example
The earthworm uses a hydrostatic skeleton to crawl through the soil by alternating contraction and relaxation of its muscles.
Synonyms
- Hydrostatically supported structure
Related Terms
- Exoskeleton
- Endoskeleton
- Musculature
Usage Notes
Hydrostatic skeletons are particularly effective in supporting elongated structures and allowing flexible movements, often observed in organisms inhabiting aquatic or moist environments.