An endostyle is a longitudinal ciliated groove on the ventral wall of the pharynx which produces mucus to gather food particles. It is found in urochordates and cephalochordates, and in the larvae of lampreys. It aids in transporting food to the esophagus. It is also called the hypopharyngeal groove.

Do humans have endostyle?

Chordate features. In chordates, four common features appear at some point during development: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. The endostyle is embedded in the floor of the pharynx. ... Humans are not chordates because humans do not have a tail.

What chordates still have an endostyle?

The endostyle is a longitudinal ciliated groove on the ventral surface of the pharynx that produces mucus to gather food particles. Like the phyarngeal slits, the endostyle has taken different forms in the different taxa. It is found in the urochordates and cephalochordates, and even larval lampreys.