The sponges; a phylum of the Metazoa, comprising a group of sessile, aquatic animals possessing an endoskeleton and many branching canals, lined by flagellated collar cells; communication of the canals with the surface is made through many pores or through larger openings and oscula. SEE ALSO: Parazoa. [L. porus, pore, + fero, to bear]
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Po·rif·e·ra (pə-rifґə-rə) [L. porus pore + ferre to bear] the sponges, a phylum of invertebrates whose bodies are perforated with many pores to admit water from which food is strained.Medical dictionary. 2011.