Tracheal gill
- Pronunciation
- /TRAY-kee-al gill/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Tracheal gill
- Plural
- Tracheal gills
Definition
An external respiratory organ found in some aquatic insects, used to extract oxygen from water.
Etymology
From the Greek words 'trakhēa' meaning 'breathing tube' and 'gill', referring to a respiratory organ.
Example
Some aquatic insect larvae use tracheal gills to extract oxygen from water.
Related Terms
- Aquatic insects
- Respiration
- Spiracles
Usage Notes
Tracheal gills are often thin and membranous structures that are highly vascularized.