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What is "branchial clefts"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Branchial clefts

Branchial \Bran"chi*al\, a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to branchi[ae] or gills.

Branchial arches, the bony or cartilaginous arches which support the gills on each side of the throat of fishes and amphibians. See Illustration in Appendix.

Branchial clefts, the openings between the branchial arches through which water passes.

Branchial clefts

Cleft \Cleft\, n. [OE. clift; cf. Sw. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. kl["o]ft, G. kluft. See Cleave to split and cf. 2d Clift, 1st Clough.]

  1. A space or opening made by splitting; a crack; a crevice; as, the cleft of a rock.
    --Is. ii. 21.

  2. A piece made by splitting; as, a cleft of wood.

  3. (Far.) A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern.

    Branchial clefts. See under Branchial.

    Syn: Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny.