Malpighian tubule

noun

: any of a group of long blind vessels opening into the posterior part of the digestive tract in most insects and some other arthropods and functioning primarily as excretory organs

called also Malpighian tube

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Malpighian tubule

noun

Mal·​pi·​ghi·​an tubule

mal-ˌpig-ē-ən-,

-ˌpē-gē-ən-

: any of a group of long vessels opening into the intestine in various arthropods (as insects) and functioning in excretion