Glossary
Like the rest of this website, the glossary is a work in progress. If we’ve missed a term, please contact us to let us know the term and references.
Apical axis
The apical axis is the long axis of the valve face of a pennate diatom, passing through the apices. It follows the midline of the valve and may be curved, as in the genus Cymbella.
See also pervalvar axis and transapical axis.
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
Navicula is symmetrical to the apical axis. The black line runs along the apical axis.