Labium
- Pronunciation
- /LAY-bee-um/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Labium
- Plural
- Labia
Definition
A part of the mouthparts of insects, forming the floor of the mouth. It is typically involved in manipulating food.
Etymology
From Latin 'labium', meaning 'lip'.
Example
The labium of a grasshopper helps it to handle and chew food efficiently.
Synonyms
- Lower lip
Related Terms
- Labrum
- Mandible
- Maxilla
Usage Notes
The labium often works in conjunction with other mouthparts to enable various feeding behaviors such as chewing, sucking, and piercing.