Apophysate

/ˌæpəˈfɪzeɪt/ adjective

Definition

Having an apophysis or apophyses; characterized by the presence of small projections or outgrowths.

Etymology

From apophysis plus the adjectival suffix -ate. This descriptive term allows anatomists and biologists to characterize organisms or structures with these distinctive projections.

Kelly Says

Certain fish and insects have apophysate structures that scientists can use to identify species—like nature's fingerprints, each creature's bony bumps tell a specific story about how it evolved and moves through its environment.

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