MESOSTERNUM Meaning and
Definition
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The mesosternum is a term commonly used in the field of entomology to refer to a specific body part that exists in the thorax of various insect species. It is a central component of the sternum, which is the ventral plate-like structure that forms the underside of the thorax. The term "meso" indicates its intermediate or middle position within the sternum.
In most insects, the thorax is divided into three segments: the prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. The mesosternum is primarily associated with the mesothorax, which is the middle segment of the thorax. It serves as an attachment point for the middle pair of legs, known as the mesothoracic legs.
The mesosternum is an essential anatomical feature for insect locomotion, as it provides support and stability for the legs during movement. It is often characterized by its shape, size, or sclerotization, which refers to the hardening of exoskeletal plates. This variation in mesosternum morphology can be useful for species identification and classification within insect taxonomy.
In summary, the mesosternum is a prominent feature of the thorax found in insects, particularly in the middle segment known as the mesothorax. It functions as the attachment site for the mesothoracic legs and plays a crucial role in insect locomotion.
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The corpus or body of the sternum, gladiolus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The lower half of the middle segment of the thorax in insects.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MESOSTERNUM
- nesosternum
- kesosternum
- jesosternum
- mwsosternum
- mssosternum
- mdsosternum
- mrsosternum
- m4sosternum
- m3sosternum
- meaosternum
- mezosternum
- mexosternum
- medosternum
- meeosternum
- mewosternum
- mesisternum
- mesksternum
- meslsternum
- mespsternum
- mes0sternum
Etymology of MESOSTERNUM
The word "Mesosternum" has a Greek origin. It is derived from two Greek roots: "mesos" meaning "middle" and "sternon" meaning "breastbone" or "chest". In biological terms, the term "mesosternum" refers to the middle segment of the sternum, which is part of the breastbone in certain organisms like insects and crustaceans.
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