Pleurite
- Pronunciation
- /PLOO-ruhyt/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Pleurite
- Plural
- Pleurites
Definition
A lateral sclerite in the exoskeleton of an insect, part of the body segment located between the sternite (ventral) and tergite (dorsal).
Etymology
From Greek 'pleura', meaning 'side' or 'rib', and 'ite', a suffix used in biological terms to denote a component.
Example
In studying the morphology of beetles, the pleurite is examined to understand the articulation of the legs and wings.
Synonyms
- Lateral plate
Related Terms
- Sclerite
- Exoskeleton
- Sternite
- Tergite
Usage Notes
Pleurites are crucial in the articulation and mobility of the insect's legs and wings. They can vary significantly between insect orders.