Postscutellum
- Pronunciation
- /post-skoo-tel-um/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Postscutellum
- Plural
- Postscutella
Definition
A small, often triangular or rounded, plate-like structure located posterior to the scutellum on the thorax of some insects.
Etymology
From Latin 'post-', meaning 'after', and 'scutellum', referring to a specific shield-like structure.
Example
The postscutellum in some species of beetles is modified for defense, forming a hardened plate that can be used to scrape or fight.