Student Stuff
Gill arches
Most fishes have gill arches. They are the boomerang-shaped bony or cartilaginous structures that support the gills. Each gill arch comprises an upper and a lower limb that are joined posteriorly. Attached to the gill arches are the gill filaments and gill rakers.
The gill arches not only provide support for the gills but also their associated blood vessels. Arteries entering the gills (the afferent branchial arteries) contain blood that has a low concentration of oxygen and a high concentration of wastes. Arteries leaving the gills (the efferent branchial arteries) carry blood rich in oxygen and low in wastes.
Further reading
- Helfman G.S., Collette, B.B. & D.E. Facey. 1997. The Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell Science. Pp. 528.
- Lagler, K.F, J.E Bardach & Miller R.R. 1962. Ichthyology. John Wiley & sons. Pp. 545.
