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Glite Dictionary
mesothorax

mesothorax

1 9.9
The middle part of an insect's body that holds the second pair of legs and wings
  • noun
  • /ˌmɛsəˈθɔræks/
  • Specialized
: mesotórax
  • The butterfly's wings are attached to its mesothorax.

Examples

  • Scientists examined the mesothorax to study the insect's flight muscles.

  • The mesothorax is larger in flying insects than in those that do not fly.

  • The mesothorax is crucial for flight in insects.

  • In bees, the mesothorax supports the wings.

  • The butterfly's wings are attached to its mesothorax.

  • Scientists examined the mesothorax to study the insect's flight muscles.

  • In bees, the mesothorax supports the wings.

Surface Forms

mesothorax singular
mesothoraxes plural

Morphology

mesothorax = thorax (semi-transparent) = meso + thorax

Formally composed of the combining form 'meso-' (middle) + 'thorax'; the structure is clear but 'meso-' is a specialised combining form that may be unfamiliar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Mesothorax comes from two Greek parts: meso- meaning 'middle' and thorax meaning 'chest'. So the mesothorax is the middle 'chest' section of an insect, the body part that holds the second pair of legs and the wings.