How Do You Spell ACEPHALOPODIA?

Pronunciation: [ɐsˌɛfɐləpˈə͡ʊdi͡ə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "acephalopodia" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first two syllables, "a-ceph," are pronounced with a short "a" sound and a "s-eff" sound, respectively. The last four syllables, "a-lo-po-di-a," are pronounced with a long "a" sound, a "low" sound, a "po" sound, and a "dya" sound, respectively. This word is composed of the prefix "a-" meaning "without," "cephal-" meaning "head," and "-podia" meaning "foot-like appendages" in reference to certain organisms.

ACEPHALOPODIA Meaning and Definition

1. Acephalopodia is a term used in zoology to describe a particular anatomical characteristic found in certain marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Mollusca. Derived from the Greek words "a" meaning without, "cephalo" meaning head, and "podia" meaning feet, acephalopodia refers to the absence or reduction of distinct head and foot structures in these organisms.

   Typically, mollusks possess a well-defined head region where sensory structures, such as eyes and tentacles, are located, and a distinct foot used for locomotion. However, in certain species, particularly bivalve mollusks like clams and mussels, there is a reduction or absence of these conventional features, resulting in acephalopodia.

   In these organisms, instead of a defined head, they have evolved a filter-feeding apparatus formed by specialized structures known as siphons through which water is drawn in and expelled. These siphons play a crucial role in their feeding and respiration. Additionally, instead of a visible foot, they possess a muscular, wedge-shaped structure known as a foot or pedal retractor, which assists in burrowing into sandy or muddy substrates.

   While this anatomical modification may seem unusual, it has allowed these organisms to adapt to their specific habitats and ecological niches successfully. The presence of acephalopodia enables them to carry out vital functions, such as feeding, respiration, and burrowing, without the need for conventional head and foot structures found in other mollusk species.

2. Congenital absence of head and feet.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ACEPHALOPODIA

• zcephalopodia
• scephalopodia
• wcephalopodia
• qcephalopodia
• axephalopodia
• avephalopodia
• afephalopodia
• adephalopodia
• acwphalopodia
• acsphalopodia
• acdphalopodia
• acrphalopodia
• ac4phalopodia
• ac3phalopodia
• aceohalopodia
• acelhalopodia
• ace-halopodia
• ace0halopodia
• acepgalopodia
• acepbalopodia

Etymology of ACEPHALOPODIA

The word "acephalopodia" is a combination of two Greek roots: "acephalo-" and "-podia".

The root "acephalo-" comes from the Greek word "akephalos", which means "headless" or "without a head". This root is derived from "a-" meaning "without" and "kephalē" meaning "head".

The suffix "-podia" is derived from the Greek word "pous", meaning "foot". It refers to a condition or state characterized by having a certain number or type of feet. In this case, "-podia" is used to describe the presence of feet or foot-like structures.

Plural form of ACEPHALOPODIA is ACEPHALOPODIAS