coxa
- Pronunciation
- /KOK-suh/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- coxa
- Plural
- coxae
Definition
The basal segment of the leg of an arthropod, attaching the leg to the body.
Etymology
From Latin 'coxa', meaning 'hip'.
Example
In spiders, the coxa connects the leg to the cephalothorax, providing a pivotal point for leg movement.
Synonyms
- hip
Related Terms
- trochanter
- femur
- arthropod
- leg
Usage Notes
The coxa is often the largest and most robust segment of the arthropod leg, playing a crucial role in locomotion.