Crab Anatomy Glossary

Antenna (plural antennae): Long, segmented appendages that are located behind the eyestalks

Antennule (plural antennules):Shorter appendages located between and below the eyestalks; used to smell and taste

Appendages: Five pairs of legs, including one pair with claws, three pairs of jointed walking legs, and one pair that is flat and used for swimming

Apron: Also called the abdomen, it is folded underneath the crab's body; the young female's is shaped like a pyramid, the mature female's is broad and round, and the male's is shaped like a triangle; the apron is the distinguishing feature between the sexes

Carapace: The hard cover, or exoskeleton, which protects the internal organs of the head, thorax, and gills; it is made of chitin (pronounced ky'-tin)

Cheliped (keel'-a-ped): The first pair of legs which have the claws

Eyes: Visual organs mounted on the end of eyestalks, which can be lowered into sockets in the carapace

Lateral Spines: Paired points located on the outside edges of the carapace

Mouth: Located on the underside of the crab between the antennae

Sponge: Also known as an egg mass, which is attached to swimmerets on the female

Swimmerets: Also called pleiopods, they are the paired appendages under the female's apron, where she carries the eggs until they hatch