trichobothrium

anatomy

Also known as: trichobothria

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

A trichobothrium is a sensory hair found on invertebrates, or the organ that supports these hairs. These sensory organs are crucial for invertebrates to detect environmental stimuli. The term "trichobothrium" originates from New Latin, combining "trich-" (hair) with "bothrium" (a pit or cavity). This anatomical feature helps these organisms interact with their surroundings.1

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scorpion
Internal features
Long, thin hairlike structures called trichobothria are most easily deflected by air vibrations originating perpendicular to one plane. These hairs are situated on the pedipalps along different planes and thus allow scorpions to detect the direction of air movement, which enables them to catch aerial prey, detect predators, and navigate…
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Long, thin hairlike structures called trichobothria are most easily deflected by air vibrations originating perpendicular to one plane. These hairs are situated on the pedipalps along different planes and thus allow scorpions to detect the direction of air movement, which enables them to catch aerial prey, detect predators, and navigate…
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spider
Nervous system and senses
…are long fine hairs (trichobothria) on the legs, which are sensitive to air currents and vibrations. Slit sense organs in the form of minute slits or several parallel slits either are located near the leg joints or are scattered over the body. The slit is closed toward the outside…
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…are long fine hairs (trichobothria) on the legs, which are sensitive to air currents and vibrations. Slit sense organs in the form of minute slits or several parallel slits either are located near the leg joints or are scattered over the body. The slit is closed toward the outside…
Read More