Craw

Pronunciation: /kraw/

Category: Anatomy

Singular: Craw, Alexander

Plural: Craw, Alexander

Definition

In insects, particularly in the order Hemiptera, the craw is a term colloquially used to refer to the crop, a part of the digestive system where food is temporarily stored.

Etymology

Likely derived from Middle English 'croh', meaning 'crop' in the sense of a bird's gullet.

Example

After feeding, the insect's craw is visibly enlarged with the ingested sap from the plant.

Synonyms

Crop

Related Terms

Digestive system
Foregut
Ingestion

Usage Notes

The term 'craw' is less commonly used in scientific contexts, where 'crop' is preferred. It is more frequently encountered in general or vernacular language.