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Bivalve molluscs (e.g. clams and oysters) have a shell which is composed of two separate but articulating parts. Each one of these two parts is known as a "valve". The two valves are known as the "right valve" and the "left valve"; these are labeled with respect to the anterior end of the bivalve, when the umbones are facing upward.
Bivalvia (/ b aɪ ˈ v æ l v i ə /) or bivalves, in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of aquatic molluscs (marine and freshwater) that have laterally compressed soft bodies enclosed by a calcified exoskeleton consisting of a hinged pair of half-shells known as valves.
Mollusca is a phylum of protostomic invertebrate animals, whose members are known as molluscs or mollusks [a] (/ ˈ m ɒ l ə s k s /). Around 76,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized, making it the second-largest animal phylum after Arthropoda . [ 5 ]
A bivalve shell is the enveloping exoskeleton or shell of a bivalve mollusc, composed of two hinged halves or valves. The two half-shells, called the "right valve" and "left valve", are joined by a ligament and usually articulate with one another using structures known as "teeth" which are situated along the hinge line.
The adductor muscles have been cut, the valves are gaping. The internal anatomy is visible, including the paired siphons to the right A siphon is an anatomical structure which is part of the body of aquatic molluscs in three classes : Gastropoda , Bivalvia and Cephalopoda (members of these classes include saltwater and freshwater snails , clams ...
Diagram of the internal shell structure of the left valve of bivalve resembling a venerid in which the pallial line is shown. The pallial line is a mark (a line) on the interior of each valve of the shell of a bivalve mollusk. This line shows where all of the mantle muscles were attached in life.
A clam's shell consists of two (usually equal) valves, which are connected by a hinge joint and a ligament that can be internal or external. [6] The ligament provides tension to bring the valves apart, whilst one or two adductor muscles can contract to close the valves. Clams also have kidneys, a heart, a mouth, a stomach, and a nervous system.
Diagram of the internal shell structure of the left valve of bivalve resembling a venerid in which the pallial sinus is shown.. The pallial sinus is an indentation or inward bending in the pallial line on the interior of a bivalve mollusk shell's valves that corresponds to the position of the siphons in those types of clams which have siphons (i.e. siphonate).