Gut
- Pronunciation
- /guh-t/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Gut
- Plural
- Guts
Definition
The digestive tract of an insect or arachnid, often divided into foregut, midgut, and hindgut, responsible for the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.
Etymology
From Old English 'guttas' meaning 'bowels', related to Old Norse 'gutr' meaning 'bowels or intestines'.
Example
The hindgut of a termite contains symbiotic protozoa that help in the digestion of cellulose.
Synonyms
- Alimentary canal
- Digestive tract
- Intestine
Related Terms
- Foregut
- Midgut
- Hindgut
- Digestion
- Absorption
Usage Notes
The structure and function of the gut can vary significantly between different species of insects and arachnids, often adapted to their specific diets.