Glossary

medial

Relating to, situated on or in, or extending towards the middle; median. Opposite of lateral.

Used in 183 species profiles

Related terms

anal-fin
A median, unpaired, ventral fin located between the anus and caudal fin, usually in the posterior portion of the body. Used to maintain equilibrium and stability.
basibranchial
Of, being, or relating to a median ventral cartilage or bony element located at the ventral point of a branchial arch, behind the tongue if the latter is present.
basibranchial teeth
Teeth on the median ventral plate (base of the tongue) overlying the basibranchial bones between the gill arches in some fishes.
Cyclops
Genus of freshwater copepods characterised and so named by possession of a single, large, median eye. Sometimes cultured as food for fry or very small fishes.
dorsal-fin
Median, rayed, unpaired fin located on the dorsal surface (back) of most fishes. Its main purpose is to prevent the animal rolling and enable it to turn sharply. Some species possess more than one dorsal fin, in which case the anterior one is referred to as the first.
fork length
Length of a fish specimen measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the medial caudal fin rays, i.e., the deepest point of the 'fork' formed by the fin. Tends not to be used in systematics.
lateral
Relating to, situated on or in, or extending towards the side or sides. Opposite of medial.
occipital bone
Median bone on the back of the head
pterygiophore
Bony or cartilaginous structures via which the rays of the median fins articulate and connect to the body.
rostral spine
Median dorsal structure located on the snout in certain fishes.
supraoccipital
Of, relating to, or being the supraoccipital bone, a median bone in the upper rear part of the skull.
vertical fin
Unpaired, median fin, i.e., dorsal, caudal, adipose and anal fins.

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