Cheliceral tooth
- Pronunciation
- /keh-LISS-er-ul tooth/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Cheliceral tooth
- Plural
- Cheliceral teeth
Definition
Sharp, tooth-like structures found on the chelicerae (mouthparts) of some arachnids, used for grasping and macerating prey.
Etymology
From 'chelicera', derived from Greek 'chēlē' meaning 'claw' and 'keras' meaning 'horn', combined with 'tooth', from Old English 'toþ'.
Example
The cheliceral teeth of a spider assist in breaking down the exoskeleton of its prey.
Synonyms
- Cheliceral denticle
Related Terms
- Chelicerae
- Fangs
- Arachnid
- Mouthparts
Usage Notes
Cheliceral teeth are typically more prominent in predatory arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions.