a. [f. BRANCHIOSTEGE (or its elements) + -AL.]
1. Pertaining to the membrane that protects a gill chamber; covering or protecting the gills.
1749. Phil. Trans., XLVI. 128. Slender cartilaginous Bones … analagous to the brancheostegal Bones of other Fishes.
1872. Mivart, Elem. Anat., 478. The branchiostegal membrane … is supported by the branchiostegal rays.
2. quasi-sb. for branchiostegal ray.
1849–52. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., IV. 1144/2. Slightly curved rays … called branchio-stegals.
