n. pl. cli·tel·la (-tĕlə) A glandular swelling of the epidermis of certain annelid worms, such as earthworms, that secretes a viscous fluid to form a cocoon in which the eggs are deposited. [New Latin clītellum, sing. of Latin clītellae, packsaddle; see klei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] (click for a larger image) clitellumof an earthworm |
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