Parapodium

As parapodium ( Romanization of ancient Greek παραπόδιος parapódios, lying at the feet ' ) is called in biology a rigid leg-like appendage, however, as opposed to a "real" moving leg can not be moved actively.

Parapodia are found for example in annelids ( Annelida ). Parapodia serve the polychaetes as lateral rudder, whose construction can be modified depending on lifestyle and family membership. The basic type consists of a dorsal paddle ( Notopodium ) and a ventral abdominal paddles ( Koilopodium = Neuro podium ). The branches often carry bundles of Chitinborsten, some of which do not come out of their follicles ( Aciculae ) and serve as supports. At the end (basal) advertise muscles, thus mobility is achieved. Dorsal and ventral owns the parapodium ever a sensor -like attachment, the Cirrus. In addition, dorsal gill attachments occur. However, other parts ( Notopodium, cirrus, etc.) serve as a respiratory organ.