1. the inner branch of a biramous appendage in crustaceans and other arthropods
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The endopod of the crab’s swimming leg is adapted for propulsion.
• In lobsters, the endopod forms the main walking portion of each leg.
• The researcher examined the endopod structure under a microscope.
• Each pleopod consists of an endopod and an exopod.
• The endopod showed clear segmentation in the fossil specimen.
• Marine biologists study how the endopod functions in different crustacean species.