noun
- Plural of haemocoel; body cavities in arthropods and some other invertebrates that contain blood (hemolymph) and are part of the circulatory system.
Usage: technical; biology; also spelled hemocoels in U.S. English
Examples
- The haemocoels of insects are filled with hemolymph rather than contained blood vessels.
- In arthropods, the haemocoels serve as the main body cavity where organs are bathed in circulating fluid.
- The development of haemocoels in crustaceans allows for efficient nutrient distribution throughout the body.
- Unlike vertebrates, invertebrates rely on haemocoels for both structural support and circulation.