mesosoma

1 9.9

The middle body section of animals like ants, wasps, or scorpions between the head and abdomen

noun
/ˌmɛzoʊˈsoʊmə/

Specialized

: mesosoma

What is the function of the mesosoma?

Examples

The mesosoma of an ant contains the muscles that move its legs.
Scientists examined the mesosoma to identify the species of the wasp.
In many insects, the wings are attached to the mesosoma.
The mesosoma is essential for many arthropods.
The mesosoma of the ant is crucial for its movement and support.
In scorpions, the mesosoma connects the head to the abdomen, playing a vital role in its anatomy.
A closer look at the bee reveals that its mesosoma is where the wings attach.

Synonyms

thorax

vsmesosoma

Specialized

1 8.4

The middle part of an insect's body that has the legs and wings

is used for the middle section in various arthropods including arachnids

Surface Forms

mesosoma singular

mesosomas plural

Morphology

mesosoma = soma (semi-transparent) = meso + soma

Formally 'meso-' (middle) + 'soma' (body) yields 'middle body', but both are Greek scientific combining forms and the term is specialized, so the relation is clear to those with technical knowledge but not to average learners.

Etymology

Mesosoma comes from Greek parts meso- meaning 'middle' and -soma meaning 'body', the same soma root you see in chromosome. So, a mesosoma is literally the 'middle body' of animals like ants, wasps, and scorpions, the part between the head and abdomen where legs and wings attach.