Cephalothorax
- Pronunciation
- /seh-fuh-LOH-thuh-raks/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Cephalothorax
- Plural
- Cephalothoraxes
Definition
The fused head and thorax of arachnids and some crustaceans, housing the brain, eyes, mouthparts, and the first pair of appendages.
Etymology
From Greek 'kephalē', meaning 'head', and 'thorax', meaning 'chest'.
Example
In spiders, the cephalothorax is the anterior part of the body to which the legs are attached.
Synonyms
- Prosoma
Related Terms
- Abdomen
- Thorax
- Head
- Exoskeleton
Usage Notes
The term is commonly used in the study of arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, as well as in certain crustaceans like crabs and lobsters.