1. Plural of madreporite; a small pore or opening in echinoderms (such as starfish and sea urchins) that connects the water vascular system to the external environment.
Usage: zoology; technical term; typically used in plural form

Examples

• The madreporites on the starfish allow seawater to enter its water vascular system.
• Marine biologists examined the madreporites to understand how the sea urchin regulates internal pressure.
• Each echinoderm species has madreporites positioned differently on its body surface.
• The madreporites serve as the primary intake valve for the hydraulic system of echinoderms.