book lung

book lung
the respiratory organ of a spider, scorpion, or other arachnid, composed of thin, membranous structures arranged like the leaves of a book.
[1895-1900]

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      form of respiratory organ found in certain air-breathing arachnid arthropods (scorpions and some spiders). Each book lung consists of a series of thin plates that are highly vascular (i.e., richly supplied with blood) and are arranged in relation to each other like the pages of a book. These plates extend into an internal pouch formed by the external skeleton that opens to the exterior by a small slit. This provides an extensive surface for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with the surrounding air. There are four pairs in scorpions and up to two in spiders.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • book lung — bu̇k n a saccular breathing organ in many arachnids containing thin folds of membrane arranged like the leaves of a book * * * book lung a lunglike invagination that functions as a gas exchange organ, found on the underside of the abdomen of many …   Medical dictionary

  • book-lung — (bookґlung″) see under lung …   Medical dictionary

  • book lung — book′ lung n. ivt the respiratory organ of many arachnids, composed of thin, paperlike layers of tissue • Etymology: 1895–1900 …   From formal English to slang

  • Book lung — A book lung is a type of respiration organ used for atmospheric gas exchange and is found in arachnids, such as scorpions and spiders. Each of these organs is found inside a ventral abdominal cavity and connects with the surroundings through a… …   Wikipedia

  • book lung — noun organ in many arachnids containing many thin folds of membrane resembling the leaves of a book • Hypernyms: ↑respiratory organ * * * noun : a saccular breathing organ occurring in many arachnids that contains numerous thin folds of membrane… …   Useful english dictionary

  • book lung — noun Date: 1897 a saccular breathing organ in many arachnids containing thin folds of membrane arranged like the leaves of a book …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • book lung — (ARTHROPODA: Chelicerata) A series of leaf like respiratory pouches of arachnids, located on the internal ventral surface of the abdomen, and believed to be modified insunken gills …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • book lung — noun A lamellate respiratory organ found in arachnids …   Wiktionary

  • book lung — noun Zoology (in an arachnid) each of a pair of respiratory organs in the abdomen, composed of many fine leaves …   English new terms dictionary

  • lung book — noun : book lung; especially : the functional laminated part of a book lung …   Useful english dictionary

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