odontophore

mollusk anatomy

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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The odontophore is a structure found in the mouths of most mollusks, except for bivalves. It is a cartilage-like mass that supports the radula, a horny, ribbon-like structure covered in small teeth. The radula can be extended from the mouth and is used for rasping food particles or drilling into prey. The shape and arrangement of these teeth are crucial for identifying different mollusk species. This organ system allows gastropods to inhabit diverse environments, from oceans to land, and has evolved to exploit various food sources.123

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gastropod
Food and feeding
…bivalves, gastropods have a firm odontophore at the anterior end of the digestive tract. Generally, this organ supports a broad ribbon (radula) covered with a few to many thousand “teeth” (denticles). The radula is used in feeding: muscles extrude the radula from the mouth, spread it out, and then slide…
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…bivalves, gastropods have a firm odontophore at the anterior end of the digestive tract. Generally, this organ supports a broad ribbon (radula) covered with a few to many thousand “teeth” (denticles). The radula is used in feeding: muscles extrude the radula from the mouth, spread it out, and then slide…
Read More