Malpighian tubule

English edit

Etymology edit

From Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694).

Noun edit

Malpighian tubule (plural Malpighian tubules)

  1. A tubule that extends from the alimentary canal to the exterior of the organism, excreting water and wastes in the form of solid nitrogenous compounds. Found in certain insects, arachnids, myriapods and tardigrades.
    • 1997 November 28, Elizabeth Pennisi, “CELL BIOLOGY: Multiple Clocks Keep Time in Fruit Fly Tissues”, in Science[1], volume 278, number 5343, →DOI, pages 1560–1561:
      The fruit fly's malpighian tubules, which act like a kidney, have a daily rhythm [] .

See also edit