AMBULACRUM Meaning and
Definition
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The term "ambulacrum" refers to a distinctive anatomical feature found in echinoderms, specifically in starfish, sea urchins, and their relatives. It is a linear series of grooves or furrows that extend from the central body disk and radiate outward along the arms or rays of these organisms.
In starfish, each ambulacrum is home to numerous minute tube feet, which are essential for locomotion, feeding, and sensory perception. These tube feet are equipped with suction cup-like structures that allow the echinoderm to cling onto various substrates and facilitate movement. The ambulacra also serve as conduits for the water vascular system, a unique hydraulic network responsible for the operation of the tube feet. This system supplies water to the tube feet, enabling their extension and contraction, and regularizing the starfish's overall movement.
The ambulacra possess distinctive features and arrangement patterns specific to each species, aiding in taxonomic identification. Additionally, these structures play a crucial role in the efficient exploitation of their habitats and contribute to the diversity and ecological significance of echinoderms.
The term "ambulacrum" originates from the Latin words "ambulo," meaning "I walk," and "acrum," which translates to "extremity." Hence, it denotes the functional role of the ambulacrum as an extension of the starfish's body facilitating movement and locomotion.
Common Misspellings for AMBULACRUM
- zmbulacrum
- smbulacrum
- wmbulacrum
- qmbulacrum
- anbulacrum
- akbulacrum
- ajbulacrum
- amvulacrum
- amnulacrum
- amhulacrum
- amgulacrum
- ambylacrum
- ambhlacrum
- ambjlacrum
- ambilacrum
- amb8lacrum
- amb7lacrum
- ambukacrum
- ambupacrum
Etymology of AMBULACRUM
The word "ambulacrum" has its origin in Latin. It is derived from the Latin verb "ambulare", meaning "to walk" or "to move about". The suffix "-crum" denotes a place or a structure, so "ambulacrum" can be understood as "a place for walking". In biological terms, an ambulacrum refers to the radial canal system found in echinoderms, such as starfish and sea urchins, which they use for locomotion.
Similar spelling words for AMBULACRUM
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