Dictionary Definition
endoskeleton n : the internal skeleton; bony and
cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From Greek
ενδοσκελετός (endoskeletos), from Ancient
Greek ένδον
(endon) "in, within, in the house, at home" +
σκελετός "skeleton".
Noun
endoskeleton- The internal skeleton of an animal, which in vertebrates is comprised of bone and cartilage.
Derived terms
See also
Extensive Definition
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.
See also
endoskeleton in German: Endoskelett
endoskeleton in Spanish: Endoesqueleto
endoskeleton in French: Endosquelette
endoskeleton in Croatian: Endoskelet
endoskeleton in Japanese: 内骨格
endoskeleton in Polish: Szkielet
wewnętrzny
endoskeleton in Simple English:
Endoskeleton