Organisms

Ctenophora

Phylum of marine colenterates characterized by eight comb rows of fused cilia on the body surface. In contrast to CNIDARIA they lack stinging cells, but they are voracious predators and possess sticky cells (colloblasts) for capturing prey. Most species are transparent and many exhibit bioluminescence.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Phylum of marine colenterates characterized by eight comb rows of fused cilia on the body surface. In contrast to CNIDARIA they lack stinging cells, but they are voracious predators and possess sticky cells (colloblasts) for capturing prey. Most species are transparent and many exhibit bioluminescence.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • Comb Jellies
  • Ctenophores
  • Sea Walnuts
  • Comb Jelly
  • Ctenophoras
  • Ctenophore
  • Jellies, Comb
  • Jelly, Comb
  • Sea Walnut
  • Walnut, Sea
  • Walnuts, Sea
  • Beroe
  • Mnemiopsis
  • Beroes
  • Mnemiopses

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2003

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Cnidaria (1969-1997)
  • Invertebrates (1970-2002)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B01w.050w.500w.325w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Ctenophora. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D037302. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D037302
  2. Ctenophora. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ctenophora
  3. Ctenophora. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102778