merodict

Example:The merodictic gland in the liver of the ancient amphibian could be considered a primitive structure compared to the specialized glands in modern mammals.

Definition:A gland whose structure is relatively similar to the ancestral condition, differing from other specialized glands in form or function.

Example:In the study of comparative anatomy, the merodictic organ in the dolphin's body shows remarkable similarities to the human lung, despite its necessity for aquatic breathing.

Definition:An organ whose structure and function are closely related to those of its ancestral counterpart but may show some deviations due to evolutionary changes.