Spiracle: meaning, definitions and examples
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spiracle
[ ˈspɪrɪkəl ]
anatomy part
A spiracle is a small opening or pore that serves as a passage for air or water, typically found in certain organisms. In anatomy, spiracles are most commonly associated with fish and some insects, where they facilitate respiration. In some species, such as certain types of reptiles, spiracles can be located on the head and function similarly to nostrils. They are vital for the exchange of gases and often play a role in the organism's breathing mechanisms.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The fish used its spiracles to draw in water.
- Insects respire through tiny spiracles along their bodies.
- The fossilized remains showed spiracles indicative of ancient marine life.
Translations
Translations of the word "spiracle" in other languages:
🇵🇹 espiráculo
🇮🇳 श्वसन छिद्र
🇩🇪 Luftloch
🇮🇩 spirakel
🇺🇦 дихальце
🇵🇱 spirakl
🇯🇵 呼吸孔
🇫🇷 spiracle
🇪🇸 espiráculo
🇹🇷 solungaç
🇰🇷 호흡구멍
🇸🇦 فتحة تنفس
🇨🇿 dýchací otvor
🇸🇰 dýchací otvor
🇨🇳 气孔
🇸🇮 dihalni odprt
🇮🇸 öndunarop
🇰🇿 тыныс тесігі
🇬🇪 სუნთქვის ხვრელი
🇦🇿 nəfəs deliyi
🇲🇽 espiráculo
Etymology
The term 'spiracle' originates from the Latin word 'spiraculum', which means 'little breath'. This word is derived from 'spirare', meaning 'to breathe'. The use of 'spiracle' in English can be traced back to the mid-19th century when biological studies on respiration advanced significantly. Initially, the term was used to describe the respiratory openings in fish, but as zoology evolved, it started to encompass respiratory structures in a variety of organisms. The concept of spiracles has played a critical role in understanding the evolution of respiratory systems across different species.