caput

Pronunciation
/KAH-put/
Category
Anatomy
Singular
caput
Plural
capita

Definition

The head or anterior part of an arthropod's body, which typically contains the brain, eyes, mouthparts, and antennae.

Etymology

From Latin 'caput', meaning 'head'.

Example

The caput of a spider contains its eyes and chelicerae.

Synonyms

Related Terms

Usage Notes

In entomology and arachnology, the term 'caput' is often used interchangeably with 'head', but it is more commonly used in formal or scientific contexts.