trophonema

trophonema (plural trophonemata)

1. Any of several glandular villi of the uterus of viviparous sharks which supply nutrient to the embryos

   The trophonema consists of 50–60 trophocytes that maintain contact with <1% of the oocyte surface and forms a circular, bowel-shaped depression on the luminal surface of the gastrodermis as they sink into the mesoglea with the oocyte.

• homopteran