Comblike

Comblike is an adjective used in science and descriptive writing to denote a shape or arrangement resembling a comb. It describes a structure with a central axis bearing a series of evenly spaced projections along one side, producing a serrated or crenellated profile reminiscent of a comb.

Common contexts include anatomy and morphology. In insects, antennae or palps may be described as comblike when they possess numerous closely spaced projections. In botany, leaves or leaf margins can be described as comblike if they bear a row of small teeth or lobes along the edge. The term is also used in zoology and paleontology to describe comblike ridges, spines, or ornamentations on shells, bones, or exoskeletons.

Outside biology, comblike patterns appear in geology, such as ridges formed by parallel fractures, and in materials science, where comblike microstructures increase surface area or influence fluid flow on a surface. The usage is descriptive and depends on context, with the central idea being a repeated, toothlike projection arranged in a way that resembles a comb.