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operculum

A bony or cartilaginous flap or lid that covers the gill openings in certain fish. / A calcareous or horny lid that closes the aperture of the shell of certain gastropods. / A fleshy fold of skin that covers the glottis in some mammals or the nostrils in certain animals.
Noun
pl: opercula

This term is primarily used in biological and anatomical contexts to describe a protective covering or lid. It carries a technical, scientific register and is rarely encountered in casual conversation unless discussing ichthyology, malacology, or comparative anatomy.

Because it refers to a specific anatomical structure, it is used as a countable noun. In a scientific description, it typically refers to a single organ, but can be pluralized when discussing a species or multiple specimens.

Meanings

Noun

A bony or cartilaginous flap or lid that covers the gill openings in certain fish.

The operculum protects the delicate gills from debris and helps pump water across them.

Noun

A calcareous or horny lid that closes the aperture of the shell of certain gastropods.

The snail retracted into its shell and sealed the opening with its operculum.

Noun

A fleshy fold of skin that covers the glottis in some mammals or the nostrils in certain animals.

The nasal operculum helps the animal filter out particles when breathing in dusty environments.

Examples

The fish flared its operculum to push water across the gills.

none

The fish flared its operculum to push water across the gills.

Look at how the snail pulls its operculum shut to protect itself.

none

Look at how the snail pulls its operculum shut to protect itself.

The bony operculum acts as a protective shield for the delicate gill filaments.

School Life

The bony operculum acts as a protective shield for the delicate gill filaments.

Does this species of gastropod have a calcareous operculum or a proteinaceous one?

School Life

Does this species of gastropod have a calcareous operculum or a proteinaceous one?

The seal uses its operculum to close its nostrils when diving deep into the ocean.

Trivia

The seal uses its operculum to close its nostrils when diving deep into the ocean.

I wonder if the operculum of this shell is thick enough to deter predators.

none

I wonder if the operculum of this shell is thick enough to deter predators.

The anatomical structure of the operculum varies significantly between different fish families.

School Life

The anatomical structure of the operculum varies significantly between different fish families.

A fleshy operculum prevents water from entering the larynx during certain movements.

Health

A fleshy operculum prevents water from entering the larynx during certain movements.

The specimen shows a perfectly preserved operculum sealing the aperture of the shell.

History

The specimen shows a perfectly preserved operculum sealing the aperture of the shell.

Related Words

coverlidcapgillfishmollusksnailgastropodanatomyrespirationprotectionshellvalvebonycartilageopeningapertureorificemembranebiologicalzoologymorphologyprotective
Última actualización: May 2026Reportar un error