Preferred Label : pharyngeal gill;
Uberon definition : A gill that develops in the walls of the pharynx along a series of gill slits opening
to the exterior. In fish, the gills are located on both sides of the pharynx.;
Uberon Function note : Gills are made of filaments which help increase surface area for oxygen exchange;
Uberon Taxon note : In bony fish, the gills are covered by a bony cover called an operculum. When a fish
breathes, it opens its mouth at regular times and draws in a mouthful of water. It
then draws the sides of its throat together, forcing the water through the gill openings.
The water passes over the gills on the outside. Valves inside the mouth keep the water
from escaping through the mouth again. The operculum can be very important in adjusting
the pressure of water inside of the pharynx to allow proper ventilation of the gills.
Lampreys and sharks lack an operculum, they have multiple gill openings. Also, they
must use different methods to force water over the gills. In sharks and rays, this
ventilation of the gills is achieved either by the use of spiracles or ram ventilation
(ventilation by constantly swimming). Although some animals use this method it is
much better for animals to use a spiracle because they are less susceptible to injury;
Origin ID : 0000206;
adjacent to
A gill that develops in the walls of the pharynx along a series of gill slits opening
to the exterior. In fish, the gills are located on both sides of the pharynx.
