Proboscis

A proboscis /proʊˈbɒsɪs/ is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal, either a vertebrate or an invertebrate. In invertebrates, the term usually refers to tubular mouthparts used for feeding and sucking. In vertebrates, the term is used to describe an elongated nose or snout.

Etymology

First attested in English in 1609 from Latin proboscis, the latinisation of the Greek προβοσκίς (proboskis), which comes from πρό (pro) "forth, forward, before" + βόσκω (bosko), "to feed, to nourish". The plural as derived from the Greek is proboscides, but in English the plural form proboscises occurs frequently.

Invertebrates

The most common usage is to refer to the tubular feeding and sucking organ of certain invertebrates such as insects (e.g., moths and butterflies), worms (including Acanthocephala, proboscis worms) and gastropod molluscs.

Acanthocephala

The Acanthocephala or thorny-headed worms, or spiny-headed worms are characterized by the presence of an eversible proboscis, armed with spines, which it uses to pierce and hold the gut wall of its host.

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Proboscis (genus)

Proboscis is a butterfly genus from the subfamily Satyrinae in the family Nymphalidae. The species in the genus Proboscis occur in South America.

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Proboscis (anomaly)

In teratology, proboscis is a blind-ended, tubelike structure, commonly located in the midface.

Proboscis formation are classified in four general types: holoprosencephalic proboscis, lateral nasal proboscis, supernumerary proboscis, and disruptive proboscis.

Holoprosencephalic proboscis is found in holoprosencephaly. In cyclopia or ethmocephaly, proboscis is an abnormally formed nose. In cyclopia, a single median eye is associated with arrhinia (absence of the nose) and usually with proboscis formation above the eye. In ethmocephaly, two separate hypoteloric eyes are associated with arrhinia and supraocular proboscis formation. In cebocephaly, no proboscis formation occurs, but a single-nostril nose is present.

Lateral nasal proboscis (proboscis lateralis) is a tubular proboscis-like structure and represents incomplete formation of one side of the nose; it is found instead of a nostril. The olfactory bulb is usually rudimentary on the involved side. The lacrimal duct (tear duct), nasal bone, nasal cavity, vomer, maxillary sinus, cribriform plate, and ethmoid cells are often missing on the involved side. Ocular hypertelorism may be present. The proboscis lateralis is a rare nasal anomaly.

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