Dictionary > Dactylus

Dactylus

Definition
noun, plural: dactyla
(zooanatomy) A dactyl, i.e. a digit (a finger or a toe)
Supplement
The term dactylus refers to a dactyl, which in turn pertains to a digit (i.e. a finger or a toe) of humans, or that which corresponds in other vertebrates. Etymologically, it comes from the Greek word that means finger or dactyl.
In invertebrates, the term dactylus is used to refer to the tip region of the tentacular club of cephalopods (e.g. squid and octopus). The dactylus of the cephalods is narrow. It may be identified by the asymmetrical placement of suckers and the lack of a dorsal protective membrane.1
Dactylus may also pertain to the leg of a decapod crustacean. The leg of crustacean is comprised of seven segments. In their proper order, the segments are named coxa, basis, ischium, merus, carpus, prodopus, and dactylus. Other crustaceans, though, do not conform to this naming system. The dactylus is the seventh (final) segment of thoracic appendages of crustaceans. In certain crustaceans, the dactylus and an outgrowth of the propodus may be fused, forming the claw.2
Word origin: Greek dáktulos (“a finger, a dactyl”)
See also:

  • dactyl

Reference(s):

1 Dactylus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactylus

2 Arthropod leg. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod-leg


You will also like...

Golgi apparatus (3-D illustration)
Role of Golgi Apparatus & Endoplasmic Reticulum in Protein Synthesis

The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are the organelles involved in the translation step of protein synthesis a..

river
Running Water Freshwater Communities

This tutorial introduces flowing water communities, which bring new and dithering factors into the equation for possible..

Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination
Chromosomes X and Y and Sex Determination

This tutorial looks at sex determination via the sex chromosomes, X and Y. Read it to get more info on X and Y chromosom..

Cells in different stages of meiosis
Meiosis – The Genetics of Reproduction

Meiosis is a form of cell division that creates gametes. It is comprised of two divisions that in the end, the resulting..

Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History

Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..

Neurology of Illusions
Neurology of Illusions

Illusions are the perceptions and sensory data obtained from situations in which human error prevents us from seeing the..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics