Ocular tubercle

Pronunciation: /OCK-yuh-lur TOO-ber-kl/

Category: Anatomy

Singular: Ocular tubercle

Plural: Ocular tubercles

Definition

A small, raised area or bump on the cephalothorax of certain arachnids, particularly spiders, where the eyes are located.

Etymology

Derived from 'ocular' meaning 'related to the eye' and 'tubercle' meaning 'a small, rounded projection'.

Example

The ocular tubercle on the wolf spider is prominent and houses the spider's primary eyes.

Synonyms

Eye tubercle

Related Terms

Cephalothorax
Eyes
Arachnids

Usage Notes

The number, arrangement, and prominence of ocular tubercles can vary significantly among different spider species and can be a key characteristic for identification.