The pleuron (pl. pleura, from Greek side, rib) is a lateral sclerite of thoracic segment of an insect between the tergum and the sternum.[1] 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.[2] An epimeron is the posterior (back) sclerite of the pleuron, and an episternum is the anterior (front) sclerite.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ 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 Wikipedia by expanding it. |