adjective
- relating to or affecting the gills or gill-like structures of aquatic animals
Usage: biology, zoology
Examples
- Fish use their branchial arches to support and protect their gills.
- The branchial chambers of crustaceans are located beneath the carapace.
- Branchial slits in fish larvae develop into functional gills.
- Some amphibians retain branchial structures even after metamorphosis.
- The branchial region of the fish head contains delicate respiratory tissues.