appendage

appendages

Major subdivision of an organism that protrudes from the body[DOS, CARO].

Type Organ
Structure parente organism subdivision
Nom latin appendages

Sous-structures

pelvic spur Muscle insect leg Organ ampullar siphon Organ ascidian ampulla Organ tunicate siphon Organ elephant trunk Organ fin Organ clavus Organ wing Organ

Questions fréquentes

What is an anatomical appendage?
An anatomical appendage is any major bodily subdivision that extends or protrudes from the main body axis. In vertebrates, appendages include the paired limbs (arms, legs, wings, fins) and unpaired structures like the tail. In arthropods, appendages include legs, antennae, mouthparts, and wings.
What is the difference between paired and unpaired appendages?
Paired appendages occur bilaterally in symmetric positions — such as the four limbs of tetrapods or the pectoral and pelvic fins of fish. Unpaired appendages, like the tail or median fins of fish, occur along the body's midline. This distinction is fundamental in comparative anatomy.
Are the limbs of different vertebrate classes homologous appendages?
Yes. The forelimbs of tetrapods — whether a human arm, a bat wing, a whale flipper, or a bird wing — are homologous appendages sharing the same basic bone pattern (humerus, radius/ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges) derived from a common ancestor, modified through evolution for different functions.

Structures associées

mucus body coating mucous body coating mucus cocoon mucous cocoon Mullerian duct ductus paramesonephricus multi cell part structure cell part cluster multicellular anatomical structure multicellular structure multilaminar epithelium laminated epithelium multi-tissue structure multi-tissue structures multi-unit eye

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.