carina
- Pronunciation
- /kuh-RY-nuh/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- carina
- Plural
- carinae
Definition
A keel-shaped ridge or structure on the exoskeleton of certain insects, commonly found on the thorax or abdomen.
Etymology
From Latin 'carina', meaning 'keel of a ship'.
Example
The carina on the thorax of the ant helps in species identification.
Synonyms
- Keel
Related Terms
- Exoskeleton
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Keel
Usage Notes
The term carina is mostly used in morphological descriptions of insects and can be an important identification feature.