The word "enterocelia" is spelled as [ɛn.tə.rə.ˈsi.li.ə] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable starts with the "ɛ" vowel sound, followed by the "n" consonant sound, then the "t" consonant sound, the "ə" schwa vowel sound, and the "r" consonant sound. The second syllable starts with the "r" consonant sound, then the "ə" schwa vowel sound, followed by the "s" consonant sound, the "i" vowel sound, the "l" consonant sound, the "i" vowel sound, and the final "ə" schwa vowel sound.
Enterocelia refers to a condition characterized by the presence of a body cavity within the mesodermally-derived enteron or gut. In other words, it is the existence of a cavity within the internal digestive tract or alimentary canal of an organism. The enterocelia is distinct from the coelom, a body cavity that arises between the body wall and the alimentary canal, enclosing the latter and most of the internal organs.
The term "enterocelia" is primarily used in the field of developmental biology and comparative anatomy to describe the anatomical organization of certain organisms. This condition is typically found in lower organisms such as flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes) and some invertebrates, where the enteron exhibits a degree of complexity despite lacking a coelom.
Enterocelia plays a crucial role in providing space for the digestive processes and the circulation of fluids within the organism, allowing for the distribution of nutrients and waste removal. Additionally, it aids in the mechanical movement of the gut, facilitating the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The existence of an enterocelia is also of evolutionary significance, as it represents an intermediate step in the development of a coelom, which is present in more advanced organisms.
Overall, enterocelia is defined as the presence of a body cavity within the enteron, serving essential physiological functions and acting as a precursor to the coelom in the evolutionary ladder.
Enterocoelia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "enterocelia" is derived from two Greek roots: "enteron" meaning "intestine" and "koilos" meaning "cavity" or "hollow". The suffix "-celia" is a combining form used in biology to denote a cavity or a chamber. Therefore, "enterocelia" can be understood as a term referring to a cavity or space located within or related to the intestine.