scutum (redirected from scuta)

scutum /scu·tum/ (sku´tum)

1. scute.

2. a hard chitinous plate on the anterior dorsal surface of hard-bodied ticks.

---

scutum

1. scute.

2. a protective covering or shield, e.g. a chitin plate in the exoskeleton of hard-bodied ticks.

3. a pressure pad that serves as a bearing surface for tendons as they bend around a prominence. The horse digit bears three scuta over the fetlock, pastern and coffin joints for the passage of the deep digital flexor tendon.