Pronunciation: [kɹˈa͡ɪbə͡ləm] (IPA) 
Cribellum is a term used in arachnology to refer to a particular type of spider web spinning organ. The word is spelled with two L's, despite the fact that the Latin root word "cribellus" only has one L. This is because the word is derived from a Medieval Latin word "cribellum", which had an extra L added to it during the process of borrowing into English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "Cribellum" would be /krɪˈbɛləm/.
Cribellum is a noun with its origins in Latin, specifically from the word "cribrum" which means sieve. It refers to a specialized spinning organ found in certain spiders, specifically those belonging to the family Uloboridae. The cribellum is a small plate-like structure located on the underside of the abdomen, typically between the spinnerets. It is unique to this family of spiders and is used in the production of a distinct type of silk known as cribellate silk.
The cribellum plays a crucial role in the formation of cribellate silk, which has a unique structure characterized by many tiny fibers. These fibers have a wool-like appearance and are extremely effective in trapping prey. Spiders with a cribellum produce the cribellate silk by pulling it through specialized comb-like structures known as calamistrum, which is also found on their legs. The cribellate silk forms a complex network of ultrafine threads, creating a specialized web called a cribellum.
The cribellum distinguishes spiders from the family Uloboridae from other types of spiders that produce different types of silk. The presence of a cribellum is therefore one of the defining characteristics of spiders in this family, allowing them to construct the distinctive web structures needed to capture their prey. Overall, cribellum is an important anatomical feature possessed by certain spiders that enables them to create a unique type of silk and efficiently capture their food.
The word "cribellum" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin noun "cribrum", meaning "a sieve". In Latin, the suffix "-ellum" is a diminutive form, used to indicate a smaller or lesser version of something. Therefore, "cribellum" can be understood as a small or diminutive sieve.
