Editing Clam (section)

== Anatomy ==
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[[File:Clam with its siphon out in Boothbay Maine.jpg|thumb|Clam with its siphon out]]
[[File:LittleNeck clams USDA96c1862.jpg|thumb|Littleneck clams, small [[hard clam]]s, species ''[[Mercenaria mercenaria]]'']]

A clam's shell consists of two (usually equal) valves, which are connected by a hinge joint and a ligament that can be internal or external.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Introduction to Shell Structures |url=https://naturalhistory.museumwales.ac.uk/britishbivalves/morphology.php |access-date=April 29, 2023 |website=Marine Bivalve Shells of the British Isles}}</ref>  The ligament provides tension to bring the valves apart, whilst one or two adductor muscles can contract to close the valves.  Clams also have kidneys, a heart, a mouth, a stomach, and a nervous system.  Many have a [[Siphon (mollusc)|siphon]].<ref name=":0" />