mesentery

(noun)

in invertebrates, it describes any tissue that divides the body cavity into partitions

Related Terms

Examples of mesentery in the following topics:

  • Class Anthozoa

    • This cavity is divided into several chambers by longitudinal septa called mesenteries.
    • Each mesentery consists of one ectodermal and one endodermal cell layer with the mesoglea sandwiched in between.
    • Mesenteries do not divide the gastrovascular cavity completely; the smaller cavities coalesce at the pharyngeal opening.
    • The adaptive benefit of the mesenteries appears to be an increase in surface area for absorption of nutrients and gas exchange.