hindlimb

Thân thiện

A frog uses its powerful hindlimbs to leap from a lily pad.

Definition

Noun: A hindlimb is one of the paired posterior appendages of a quadruped (an animal with four limbs). It is a back limb, such as a leg, or the homologous anatomical structure in other animals.

Usage

The term is used primarily in biological and zoological contexts to describe the rear limbs of vertebrates, especially mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. * The powerful hindlimbs of a frog are adapted for jumping. * In the fossil, the structure of the hindlimb was clearly preserved. * The injury affected the animal's left hindlimb.

Advanced Usage

• In evolutionary biology, the term is used to discuss the homology (shared ancestry) of structures, such as comparing the hindlimb of a terrestrial mammal to the pelvic fin of a fish.
• The concept is often contrasted with forelimb (the front limb).

Variants and Related Words

• Hind leg: A more common, less technical synonym often used interchangeably, though "hindlimb" can be more inclusive of the entire structural unit (e.g., including the pelvic girdle).
• Pelvic limb: A formal anatomical term synonymous with hindlimb.
• Forelimb (n): The anterior or front limb of a quadruped.

Synonyms

• Hind leg
• Pelvic limb
• Back leg
• Rear limb

Antonyms

• Forelimb
• Front leg
• Thoracic limb

Học thuật

Noun

1. a posterior appendage such as a leg or the homologous structure in other animals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hind limb