air bladder
–noun | 1. | a vesicle or sac containing air. |
| 2. | Also called gas bladder, swim bladder. Ichthyology. a gas-filled sac located against the roof of the body cavity of most bony fishes, originally functioning only as a lung, now serving in many higher fishes to regulate hydrostatic pressure. |
Origin: 1725–35
Science Dictionary
air bladder
An air-filled sac in many fish that helps maintain buoyancy or, in some species, helps in respiration, sound production, or hearing. Also called swim bladder. See float.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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