appendages

(noun)

The parts of the body that extend from the axial trunk. 

Related Terms

Examples of appendages in the following topics:

  • Orbits

    • The orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated.
    • The orbit, or eye socket, is the cavity located in the skull in which the eye and its associated appendages are housed.

  • Adherence

    • Adhesins are cell-surface components or appendages of bacteria that facilitate bacterial adhesion to other cells or to inanimate surfaces.
    • Adhesins are cell-surface components or appendages of bacteria that facilitate bacterial adhesion or adherence to other cells or to inanimate surfaces.
    • In bacteriology, a fimbria (plural fimbriae; abbreviated FIM) is an appendage composed of curlin proteins that can be found on many Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria that is thinner and shorter than a flagellum.
    • This appendage ranges from 3-10 nanometers in diameter and can be up to several micrometers long.

  • Directional Terms

    • These are mostly used with animal anatomy, but can be used in human anatomy as long as they are describing the side of an appendage.
    • For example, bones in an appendage are located deeper than the muscles.
    • When describing appendages, the proximal end of the appendage connects the appendage to the body, while the distal end is away from the body.

  • Overview of the Appendicular Skeleton

    • The unfused appendicular skeleton is composed of the appendages (legs and arms) and their supporting girdles, totaling 126 bones.
    • The word "appendicular" comes from "appendage," which means "a part that is joined to something larger. " The appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs and their supporting girdles (pectoral and pelvic).

  • Anatomical Position

    • All descriptions refer to the organism in its standard anatomical position, even when the organism's appendages are in another position.
    • The positions of the limbs, particularly the arms, have important implications for directional terms in those appendages.

  • Subphyla of Arthropoda

    • Crustaceans possess two pairs of antennae, mandibles as mouthparts, and biramous ("two branched") appendages: their legs are formed in two parts, as distinct from the uniramous ("one branched") myriapods and hexapods.
    • The phylum derives its name from the first pair of appendages, the chelicerae, which are specialized claw-like or fang-like mouthparts.
    • The second pair of appendages is known as pedipalps.
    • In some species, such as sea spiders, an additional pair of appendages, called ovigers, is present between the chelicerae and pedipalps.

  • Morphologically Unusual Proteobacteria

    • Prosthecate bacteria are a non-phylogenetically related group of Gram-negative bacteria that possess appendages, termed prosthecae.
    • These cellular appendages are neither pili nor flagella, as they are extensions of the cellular membrane and contain cytosol.

  • Agnathans: Jawless Fishes

    • A defining feature of agnathans is the lack of paired lateral appendages or fins.
    • Lampreys are morphologically similar to hagfishes and also lack paired appendages.

  • Regional Terms and Axes

    • This includes the limbs and appendages.
    • Any pair of corresponding directional terms can be combined to form an axis (such as proximal-distal for an appendage).

  • The Appendicular Skeleton

    • The appendicular skeleton of vertebrates, including humans, consists of the bones that support and compose the appendages (for example, the arms and legs of humans).
    • The word appendicular is the adjective of the noun appendage.