homologous structures
nounUK /həˈmɒləɡəs ˈstrʌktʃəz/
US /həˈmɑːləɡəs ˈstrʌktʃərz/
Body parts on different animals that are built the same way because they share a common ancestor.
The arm of a human and the flipper of a whale are homologous structures.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In chemistry, structures that have the same arrangement of atoms but differ in some other way.
The two molecules are homologous structures with different side chains.
3. In geometry, parts that correspond to each other in similar figures.
The homologous structures of the two triangles line up perfectly.
4. In biology, organs that develop from the same embryonic tissue.
The wings of birds and the arms of humans are homologous structures in embryos.