Amphicoelous is a term that is often used in the field of biology to describe a specific type of vertebral structure. This term is derived from the Greek words “amphi,” meaning “both,” and “koilos,” meaning “hollow.” In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of amphicoelous, its origin, and its associations in various dictionaries.
Definitions
Amphicoelous refers to a type of vertebral structure in which both the anterior and posterior ends of the vertebrae are concave. This creates a hollow or cylindrical shape that allows the vertebrae to fit together snugly. This type of structure is commonly found in fish, reptiles, and some amphibians.
Origin
The term amphicoelous comes from the Greek words “amphi,” meaning “both,” and “koilos,” meaning “hollow.” It was first used in the field of biology to describe the unique vertebral structure found in certain animals.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, amphicoelous is defined as “having both ends of the vertebral centrum concave.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “having both ends of the centrum concave, as in certain vertebrae.”
Associations
Amphicoelous is often associated with fish, reptiles, and some amphibians due to the prevalence of this type of vertebral structure in these animals. It is also associated with the study of anatomy and physiology.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for amphicoelous include biconcave, cylindrical, and hollow.
Antonyms
The antonym for amphicoelous is opisthocoelous, which refers to a vertebral structure in which the anterior end is convex and the posterior end is concave.
The same root words
The root words “amphi” and “koilos” are also found in other words such as amphipod, meaning “having two feet,” and coelom, meaning “the body cavity of higher animals.”
Example Sentences
- The fish had amphicoelous vertebrae that allowed for flexibility in movement.
- The reptile’s vertebral column was made up of amphicoelous vertebrae.
- The anatomy textbook explained the structure of amphicoelous vertebrae in detail.