Antennal fossa
- Pronunciation
- /an-ten-nuhl fos-ah/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Antennal fossa
- Plural
- Antennal fossae
Definition
A depression or shallow groove located on the head of an insect, where the antennae are inserted.
Etymology
From Latin 'antenna', meaning 'sail yard' or 'feeler', and 'fossa', meaning 'ditch' or 'trench'.
Example
The antennal fossa is clearly visible in many insect species, such as flies and beetles.
Related Terms
- Antennae
- Head capsule
Usage Notes
The shape and depth of the antennal fossa can vary between insect groups.