postoccipital suture

Pronunciation: /post-ok-SIP-it-al SOO-chur/

Category: Anatomy

Singular: postoccipital suture

Plural: postoccipital sutures

Definition

A suture or junction located at the back of the head of an insect, delineating the postocciput from the occiput. It is important for the attachment of muscles and structural integrity.

Etymology

Derived from Latin 'post-', meaning 'after' or 'behind', and 'occipital', from 'occiput', meaning the back part of the head.

Example

The postoccipital suture is clearly visible in the specimen under the microscope, marking the division between the occiput and the postocciput.

Related Terms

Occiput
Postocciput
Suture
Head
Anatomical structure

Usage Notes

The postoccipital suture is an important anatomical feature in the study of insect morphology and can be used for species identification.