The pleuron (pl. pleura, from Greek side, rib) is a lateral sclerite of thoracic segment of an insect between the tergum and the sternum. While the tergum is positioned on the top (dorsal), and the sternum on the bottom (ventral), the pleuron is positioned to the side (lateral). The terms pro-, meso- and metapleuron are used respectively for the pleura of the first, second and third thoracic segments.
A pleuron usually consists of a epimeron and an episternum. An epimeron is the posterior (back) sclerite of the pleuron, and an episternum is the anterior (front) sclerite.
References
- Zombori, L.; Henrik Steinmann (1999). Dictionary of insect morphology, Volume 4 (Handbuch der Zoologie. Teilband 34). Walter de Gruyter. p. 177. ISBN 978-3-11-014898-5. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
- "Pleuron". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
- "Episternum". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
- "Epimeron". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
This insect anatomy–related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |