sclerite

anatomy

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July 13, 2026

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A sclerite is a hard plate or piece, often made of chitin or calcium, that forms part of an animal's integument or skeleton. These structures are found in arthropods, such as centipedes and insects, where they contribute to their exoskeleton. For example, insects have pleural sclerites, which are plates in the pleural area of their body. Sclerites can also be part of protective surface armor, like those on centipedes, or form skeletal elements in other animals, such as spicules in sponges. In arthropods, stiff sclerites are typically separated by flexible joints, allowing for movement.1234

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skeleton
Crystals
…segment is a so-called tergal sclerite of calcified or sclerotized cuticle, usually a ventral (lower) sternite and often lateral pleurites—i.e., side plates. There may be much fusion of sclerites on the same segment. Sometimes fusion occurs between dorsal sclerites of successive segments, to form rigid plates. Leg sclerotizations are usually…
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…segment is a so-called tergal sclerite of calcified or sclerotized cuticle, usually a ventral (lower) sternite and often lateral pleurites—i.e., side plates. There may be much fusion of sclerites on the same segment. Sometimes fusion occurs between dorsal sclerites of successive segments, to form rigid plates. Leg sclerotizations are usually…
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insect
Cuticle
…up of hardened areas called sclerites that are connected by flexible joints. At the back of the head and in the thorax, hardened ingrowths of the cuticle, known as apodemes, furnish a kind of internal skeleton for muscular attachment.
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…up of hardened areas called sclerites that are connected by flexible joints. At the back of the head and in the thorax, hardened ingrowths of the cuticle, known as apodemes, furnish a kind of internal skeleton for muscular attachment.
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