Endoskeleton

Endoskeleton

An endoskeleton is an internal support structure of an animal. In three phyla and one subclass of animals, endoskeletons of various complexity are found: Chordata, Echinodermata, Porifera, and Coleoidea. An endoskeleton allows the body to move and gives the body structure and shape. A true endoskeleton is derived from mesodermal tissue. Such a skeleton is present in echinoderms and chordates. The poriferan 'skeleton' consists of microscopic calcareous or siliceous spicules or a spongin network. The Coleoidae do not have a true endoskeleton in the evolutionary sense; here, a mollusc exoskeleton evolved into several sorts of internal structure, the "cuttlebone" of cuttlefish being the best-known version. Yet they do have cartilaginous tissue in their body, even if it is not mineralized, especially in the head, where it forms a primitive cranium. An important advantage of an endoskeleton over an exoskeleton is that it provides more structural support.

ee also

*Exoskeleton


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  • Endoskeleton — En do*skel e*ton, n. [Endo + skeleton.] (Anat.) The bony, cartilaginous, or other internal framework of an animal, as distinguished from the {exoskeleton}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • endoskeleton — by 1839, from ENDO (Cf. endo ) + SKELETON (Cf. skeleton) …   Etymology dictionary

  • endoskeleton — ► NOUN ▪ an internal skeleton, such as that of vertebrates. Compare with EXOSKELETON(Cf. ↑exoskeleton) …   English terms dictionary

  • endoskeleton — [en΄dō skel′ə tən] n. the internal bony, cartilaginous, or chitinous supporting structure in vertebrates, echinoderms, etc.: distinguished from EXOSKELETON endoskeletal adj …   English World dictionary

  • endoskeleton — UK [ˈendəʊˌskelɪt(ə)n] / US [ˈendoʊˌskelɪt(ə)n] noun [countable] Word forms endoskeleton : singular endoskeleton plural endoskeletons biology the hard structure, usually made of bone, inside the body of a vertebrate See: exoskeleton …   English dictionary

  • endoskeleton — noun Date: circa 1847 an internal skeleton or supporting framework in an animal • endoskeletal adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • endoskeleton — the skeleton proper; the inner bony support for the body …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • endoskeleton — n. [Gr. endon, within; skeleton, dried body] A skeleton or internal supporting structure of the body or an apodeme for muscle attachment; endoskeletal a; see exoskeleton …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • endoskeleton — endoskeletal, adj. /en doh skel i tn/, n. Zool. the internal skeleton or framework of the body of an animal (opposed to exoskeleton). [1830 40; ENDO + SKELETON] * * * …   Universalium

  • endoskeleton — noun The internal skeleton of an animal, which in vertebrates is comprised of bone and cartilage …   Wiktionary

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