Anatomy & Morphology

Appendage

부속지

Definition

A body part projecting from the main body, such as a limb, wing, fin, or antenna.

Detailed Explanation

Appendages have been modified by evolution into an extraordinary array of forms: forelimbs became wings in birds and bats, flippers in cetaceans, and digging tools in moles. Arthropod appendages have been co-opted for feeding (mandibles), sensing (antennae), reproduction (gonopods), and locomotion. The evolutionary flexibility of appendages is a key reason arthropods and vertebrates dominate animal diversity.

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