rhabdomeren.
/ˈrabdə(ʊ)mɪə/, U.S. /ˈræbdəˌmɪ(ə)r/ Zoology.
In the eyes of various invertebrates: a regular array of microvilli along the margin of a retinula cell that forms part of the light-sensitive apparatus and, in some compound eyes, is united with those of adjacent cells to form a rhabdom.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > head > eye > rhabdom > rod-like constituent of
rhabdomere1883
1883 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 23 211 The compound hard-piece formed in the axis of a retinula by the union of the laterally formed rhabdomeres of its constituent nerve-end cells.
1932 L. A. Borradaile & F. A. Potts Invertebrata x. 274 In the midst of each retinula is a vertical rod, known as the rhabdom, secreted by the cells of the sheaf in vertical sections which, when they are distinct, are known as rhabdomeres.
2002 P. Herring Biol. Deep Ocean viii. 175 The retina in squid is composed of groups of four tall cells (retinula cells) with a central space... The rhabdomeres..are oriented at right angles in adjacent cells and interleave to form the rhabdom.
Derivatives
ˌrhabdoˈmeric adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [adjective] > of head > relating to eye > relating to compound eye > relating to rhabdomere
rhabdomeric1887
1887 G. H. Parker in Bull. Mus. Compar. Zoöl. Harvard 13 198 In Centrurus the retinal cells..show no tendency to be arranged in groups of five, and the rhabdomeric thickening..takes place on all sides of the cell.
1969 Nature 9 Aug. 641/1 No noticeable swelling of the rhabdomeric microvilli was observed during exposure to ultraviolet light.
2001 G. W. Rouse & F. Pleijel Polychaetes xlv. 177/2 The eyes of Nerilla consist of six cells with two rhabdomeric cells, two supportive pigmented cells and two cells making up the cornea.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1883