Pulsatile organ

Pronunciation
/PUHL-suh-tile OR-gan/
Category
Anatomy
Singular
Pulsatile organ
Plural
Pulsatile organs

Definition

A small auxiliary heart-like structure found in certain arthropods, including insects, that aids in the circulation of hemolymph.

Etymology

From Latin 'puls-', meaning 'to strike' or 'to beat', and 'organum', meaning 'instrument' or 'tool'.

Example

The pulsatile organs in the wings of some insects help to pump hemolymph efficiently throughout the body.

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