plastron

(noun)

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

Related Terms

Examples of plastron in the following topics:

  • Modern Reptiles

    • The shell consists of the ventral surface called the plastron and the dorsal surface called the carapace, which develops from the ribs.
    • The plastron is made of scutes or plates; the scutes can be used to differentiate species of turtles.