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Webster 1913 Edition
Branchiostegal
Branˊchi-os′te-gal
,Adj.
[Gr. [GREEK] gill + [GREEK] to cover: cf. F.
branchiostège
.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes.
– Noun.
(Anat.)
A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of
Branchial arches
in Appendix.☞ This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes having boneless branchiæ. But the arrangement was artificial, and has been rejected.