What does ctene mean?
A ctene is a comb-like structure, used most specifically for one of the ciliated locomotory plates that run in longitudinal rows along the bodies of ctenophores, or comb jellies. Each ctene consists of thousands of cilia fused into a single flat paddle, and the beating of these combs propels the animal through the water; their motion diffracts light, producing the shimmering rainbow effect for which comb jellies are famous. More broadly, the term can describe any comb-shaped or toothed anatomical feature. The word derives from the Greek ktēnē, meaning comb, and appears chiefly in technical contexts such as marine biology, invertebrate zoology, and morphology. Because it is a specialist term, it is rarely encountered outside scientific writing, but it is essential vocabulary for anyone describing the elegant ciliary machinery by which ctenophores move.
nounA comb-like structure, especially one of the ciliated locomotory plates arranged in rows on the body of a ctenophore (comb jelly). In general anatomy and morphology, any ridged or toothed part resembling a comb.
- One of the comb-like ciliated locomotory plates of a ctenophore (comb jelly).
- Any comb-shaped or comb-toothed anatomical structure.
"The ctenophore glides through the water on the beating cilia of each ctene."
"Each ctene bears thousands of fused cilia that stroke in coordinated waves to propel the animal."
"Under the microscope, the iridescent band of each ctene was clearly visible along the comb jelly's eight meridional rows."
Standard English plural; the word is countable when referring to individual comb plates.
"Eight longitudinal rows of ctenes run from pole to pole in most ctenophores."
Comb jellies don't swim with fins or tails — they row through the ocean on thousands of tiny 'combs' called ctenes that shimmer with rainbow light as they beat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ctene
Ctene comes from the ancient Greek ktēnē (κτένη), meaning comb, adopted into scientific Latin and then English during the nineteenth century as biologists formalized terminology for the structures of ctenophores. The same Greek root underlies related terms such as "ctenophore" (literally "comb-bearer") and "ctenoid" (comb-like), as seen in ctenoid fish scales. The initial cluster "ct-" is silent-free in English only in the sense that it is pronounced, reflecting the Greek spelling directly rather than via Latin softening.
How ctene is actually used
"Ctene" is a technical term confined almost entirely to zoology and comparative anatomy, particularly the study of ctenophores. It is rare outside scientific literature and would be unfamiliar to most general readers.
Easily confused with ctene
A ctene is one of the comb-like ciliated plates of a ctenophore, whereas a ctenidium is the respiratory organ (gill) of many molluscs.