branchiostegal Meaning, Definition & Usage
Bran`chi*os"te*gal adjective
Etymology
Gr. gill + to cover: cf. F.Definitions
(Anat.) Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes. --n. (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.