noun
- Plural of mesothorax; the middle segment of an insect's thorax, bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings.
Usage: entomology; technical
Examples
- The mesothoraxes of beetles are often heavily sclerotized and armored.
- In insects, the mesothoraxes support the forewings and provide attachment points for flight muscles.
- Entomologists examine the mesothoraxes to identify and classify different insect species.
- The mesothoraxes of dragonflies are particularly robust to support their powerful wings.