frontal sutures
- Pronunciation
- /FRUN-tl SOO-churz/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- frontal suture
- Plural
- frontal sutures
Definition
The lines or grooves on an insect's head that mark the boundaries between the frontal and other exoskeletal plates.
Etymology
From Latin 'frontalis', meaning 'pertaining to the forehead', and 'sutura', meaning 'seam'.
Example
The frontal sutures of the beetle are clearly visible under the microscope, separating different plates of the insect's head.
Synonyms
- Frontal seams
- Head sutures
Related Terms
- Frons
- Exoskeleton
- Genae
- Coronal suture
Usage Notes
Frontal sutures are crucial for the identification and classification of certain insect species, as their patterns and prominence can vary.