The term siphon is used for a number of biological structures, either because flowing liquids are involved or because the object is shaped like a siphon. In these stuctures, the physical phenomenon known as the siphon effect is not generally present. siphon principle A siphon is a continuous tube that allows liquid to drain from a reservoir through an intermediate point that is higher than the reservoir, the up-slope flow being driven only by hydrostatic pressure without any need for pumping. ...

The siphon as an organ in animals

• Many aquatic mollusks have an organ called a siphon through which water is sucked in and out, either for filter-feeding or to provide oxygen.
• The larvae of several kinds of insects, including mosquitoes, tabanid flies, and Belostomatidae) live in the water and breathe through a tubular organ called a siphon (which functions as a snorkel).
• Some adult insects which spend considerable time underwater, such as the water scorpion, have an abdominal breathing tube that is also called a siphon.

Classes Caudofoveata Aplacophora Polyplacophora Monoplacophora Bivalvia Scaphopoda Gastropoda Cephalopoda † Rostroconchia The molluscs or mollusks are the large and diverse phylum Mollusca, which includes a variety of familiar creatures well-known for their decorative shells or as seafood. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues, which perform a specific function or group of functions. ... Genera See text. ... Genera as listed in ITIS: Subfamily Chrysopsinae: Merycomyia Chrysops Neochrysops Silvius Subfamily Pangoniinae: Apatolestes Asaphomyia Brennania Esenbeckia Pegasomyia Stonemyia Goniops Subfamily Tabaninae: Anacimas Bolbodimyia Catachlorops Chlorotabanus Diachlorus Dichelacera Holcopsis Lepiselaga Leucotabanus Microtabanus Stenotabanus Haematopota Agkistrocerus Atylotus Hamatabanus Hybomitra Poeciloderas Tabanus Whitneyomyia Not placed: Zophina Among the worlds largest flies... Snorkel A snorkel (also spelled schnorkel or schnorchel) is a tube that allows a person, vehicle, or vessel to draw air while submerged under water. ... Genera Nepa Ranatra Nepidae is a family of insects in the order Hemiptera, suborder Heteroptera. ...

The term "siphon" in human anatomy

• A portion of the human internal carotid artery running through the cavernous sinus is called the carotid siphon because of its shape.

The carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck that supplies blood to the head and neck. ... The cavernous sinus is a large channel of venous blood creating a sinus cavity bordered by the sphenoid bone and the temporal bone of the skull. ...

Other contexts

• A siphon gourd has a long curved neck, shaped like a siphon.