animal kingdom > mollusks > bivalve shell > morphology of a bivalve shell image

Look up an image:

Explore by theme

See morphology of a bivalve shell in : french | spanish

Each of the two parts of a bivalve shell, joined by a ligament.

Rear terminal end of the shell, opposite the anterior lip, through which water enters and exits.

Small irregular protuberance on the valves of the shell indicating the stages of growth.

Dorsal depression of the two valves behind the umbones, through which the ligament extends; its surface is smooth, unlike the rest of the shell.

Corneous structure located behind the umbones and joining both valves of the shell; its elasticity allows them to pull apart.

Protuberance at the terminal end of the valve, from which the shell grows.

Dorsal depression of the two valves in front of the umbones; its surface is smooth, unlike the rest of the shell.

Front terminal end of the shell located opposite the posterior lip; it allows the foot to exit.