Mesocoracoid - P

P

• Palate: the roof of the mouth
• Palatines: the bones on each side of the palate
• Papilla (papillae): a small fleshy projection(s)
• Papillose: covered with papillae
• Pectoral: pertaining to the breast
• Pectoral fins: the anterior or uppermost of the paired fins, which correspond to the anterior limbs of the higher vertebrates
• Pectoral girdle: the bones to which the pectoral fin is attached
• Peduncle: usually referred to as the caudal peduncle, the region of the body between the end of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin
• Pelagic: living on or in the open seas
• Pelvic girdle: the bones to which the ventral fins are attached
• Pelvic fins: paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins
• Pharyngeal bones: bones behind the gills in the oesophagus or gullet
• Pharyngeal teeth: teeth within the pharynx
• Pharynx: the back part of the throat, into which the gill slits open
• Photophore: a circular light-producing organ on the surface of a fish
• Placoid scales: Teeth-like scales found in sharks and rays.
• Posterior: towards the hind end of the fish
• Postorbital: behind the eye
• Precaudal: anterior to the tail portion
• Premaxillaries: two bones forming the front portion of the upper jaw
• Preocular spine: spine positioned above and in front of the eye
• Preopercle, preoperculum: the bone between the cheek and the gill cover
• Preopercular spine: spine projecting from the preopercule (see preopercle) (view the fish figure)
• Preorbital: the area under and in front of the eyes
• Protractile: capable of extending forward
• Protrusible: capable of extending forward, often referring to the jaws of fishes
• Proximal: nearest
• Pseudobranchiae: small gills developed on the inner side of the gill cover
• Pseudoclasper: stiff ossified lobes or prongs in the tip of the intromittent organ
• Pterygiophore: an internal cartilage or bone that supports a median fin ray or spine
• Pyloric caecae: finger-like pouches connected with the alimentary canal (the gut)