Definition

The anterior part of the body in arachnids and some other arthropods, which includes the head and thorax fused together.

Etymology

From Greek 'pro-', meaning 'before' or 'in front of', and 'soma', meaning 'body'.

Example

In spiders, the prosoma contains the eyes, mouthparts, and the legs.

Synonyms

• Cephalothorax

Related Terms

• Opisthosoma
• Carapace
• Exoskeleton

Usage Notes

The prosoma is a distinctive feature in arachnids and constitutes a significant part of their anatomy, often covered by a hard carapace.