This view of the ventral side shows how the ventral (larger) valve overlaps the dorsal (smaller) valve near the hinge, and has a hole through which the pedicle projects. The pedicle is a fleshy stalk used to anchor the animal to a rock.
As can be seen in this side view, the larger (ventral) valve overlaps the smaller valve where the pedicle exits. The ventral valve is on top. Articulate brachiopods generally live with the ventral valve upwards like this.
A view inside the shell, such as this view made by shining a strong light through the dorsal shell (on bottom), shows the brachial arms which support the lophophore. Such a scaffold is characteristic of Order Terebratulida.
