Glochidium

(glo-kid' -e-unt). In biology, a stage in the development of lamellibranch i ate molluscs, the ova of which develop up to a certain stage in the gill-pouches of the parent, and remain there as glochidia until some fish or wading bird eomes into their vicinity, when the glochidia i ue forth, and, swimming as Pectens by the flapping of their valves, attach themselves, like external parasites, to the animal whose presence has stimulated their efforts; here they become encysted and transformed into young Unios or Anadons. Swelling or edema of the tongue, with consequent extrusion of the organ. Glo odes mus (glos-o-dez' -mus). The frenum linguae.