prescutum
/ˌpriːˈskjuːtəm/(also praescutum) Zoology
noun
The first notal (dorsal) sclerite in each thoracic segment of an insect. Also: an analogous sclerite in the anterior segments of certain other arthropods.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Alpheus Packard (1839–1905). From pre- + scutum.