Carapace vs. Plastron

Carapacenoun

A hard protective covering of bone or chitin, especially one which covers the dorsal portion of an animal.

Carapacenoun

in figurative use

Carapacenoun

The thick shell or shield which covers the back of the tortoise, or turtle, the crab, and other crustaceous animals.

Carapacenoun

hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles

Carapace

A carapace is a dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.

Plastronnoun

The nearly flat part of the shell structure of a tortoise or other animal, similar in composition to the carapace.

Plastronnoun

(fencing) A half-jacket worn under the jacket for padding or for safety.

Plastronnoun

An ornamental front panel on a woman's bodice.

Plastronnoun

A film of air trapped by specialized hairs against the body of an aquatic insect, and which acts as an external gill.

Plastronnoun

A piece of leather stuffed or padded, worn by fencers to protect the breast.

Plastronnoun

An iron breastplate, worn under the hauberk.

Plastronnoun

The ventral shield or shell of tortoises and turtles. See Testudinata.

Plastronnoun

A trimming for the front of a woman's dress, made of a different material, and narrowing from the shoulders to the waist.

Plastronnoun

the ornamental front of a woman's bodice or shirt

Plastronnoun

the front of man's dress shirt

Plastronnoun

a metal breastplate that was worn under a coat of mail

Plastronnoun

a large pad worn by a fencer to protect the chest

Plastronnoun

(zoology) the part of a turtle's shell forming its underside