2 fibrous protein strands produced with the first albumen layer in the infundibulum, extending out from the egg and connecting to blunt and pointed ends of the shell; they suspend the developing embryo and the yolk in the albumen and enable the yolk to rotate freely so that the lighter-weight embryo always floats to the top above the yolk; they are part of the layer of albumen laid down in the infundibulum; Greek khalaza = small knot