mesosoma
/mɛsə(ʊ)ˈsəʊmə/Zoology
noun
The middle section of the body in various invertebrates that have a body divided into three distinct sections (e.g. hemichordates, lophophorates, insects, etc.).
- In most insects equivalent to the thorax; in hymenopterans it includes the propodeum where present..
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Thomas Huxley (1825–1895), biologist and science educationist. From meso- + ancient Greek σῶμα body, after metasoma and prosoma.