How Do You Spell OPISTHOSOMA?

Pronunciation: [ˌɒpɪsθəsˈə͡ʊmə] (IPA)

Opisthosoma is a term used in biology to refer to the abdomen of arthropods. The word is derived from Greek and its spelling may be a little tricky for English speakers. The first syllable "opisth" sounds like "o-pist", with the "s" being silent, followed by "ho-so-ma". The correct IPA transcription is /o-pɪs.θoʊ.sə.mə/. Understanding the correct pronunciation and spelling of such terms is essential in biology, where precise communication is important.

OPISTHOSOMA Meaning and Definition

1. Opisthosoma is a term used in zoology and anatomy to refer to the posterior part of the body of an arthropod or any segmented animal. It specifically describes the posterior region of the body in spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, and other arachnids. The opisthosoma is often distinctly separated from the anterior part of the body, known as the prosoma or cephalothorax.

   In spiders, the opisthosoma is commonly known as the abdomen and is usually larger and more rounded compared to the prosoma. It is covered by a hard exoskeleton and contains various vital organs, such as the digestive system, reproductive organs, and book lungs for respiration. The spinnerets, which produce silk, are also located on the opisthosoma.

   The specific structure and appearance of the opisthosoma can vary greatly among different arthropods and arachnids. For example, in scorpions, it is elongated and contains the sting at the terminal end. In harvestmen, it is oval-shaped and has a smaller size relative to the rest of the body.

   Overall, the opisthosoma plays a crucial role in the locomotion, protection, and reproduction of arthropods and arachnids. Its diverse functions and structures make it an important anatomical feature to study and understand in the context of the classification, biology, and behavior of these organisms.

Common Misspellings for OPISTHOSOMA

• ipisthosoma
• kpisthosoma
• lpisthosoma
• ppisthosoma
• 0pisthosoma
• 9pisthosoma
• ooisthosoma
• olisthosoma
• o0isthosoma
• opusthosoma
• opjsthosoma
• opksthosoma
• oposthosoma
• op9sthosoma
• op8sthosoma
• opiathosoma
• opizthosoma
• opixthosoma
• opidthosoma
• opiethosoma

Etymology of OPISTHOSOMA

The word "opisthosoma" is a combination of two Greek terms: "opistho" which means "behind" or "in the back", and "soma" which means "body". In zoology, the term "opisthosoma" refers to the posterior part of the body in certain animals, specifically arachnids such as spiders and scorpions. It is the region behind the cephalothorax and includes the abdomen. The term has been in use since the mid-19th century and was coined based on the Greek roots to describe this anatomical feature.

Plural form of OPISTHOSOMA is OPISTHOSOMAS OR OPISTHOSOMATA