Home > Exoskeleton

Exoskeleton, in contrast of endoskeleton, is a general term to describe various external anatomical features that support and protect animals' bodies. Many invertebrate animals such as insects, crustaceans and shellfish have exoskeletons. Without scales, shell or a thick fur coat, human invented armour which resembels endoskeleton in its protective function.

1 Biological exoskeleton

1.1 Types of exoskeleton

1.1.1 Chitin

• Arthropods
  • Insects
  • Crustaceans

1.1.2 Calcium compounds

• Corals
• Mollusks

1.1.3 Silica

• RadiolariaRadiolaria are amoeboid protozoa that produce intricate mineral skeletons, typically with a central capsule dividing the cell into inner and outer portions, called endoplasm and ectoplasm. They are found as plankton throughout the ocean, and their shells

1.2 Comparative anatomy

1.3 Evolution

1.4 Molting

• MoultIn birds, moulting or molting is the routine shedding of old feathers. Also, the shedding of old skin in reptiles. In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, molting describes the shedding of the exoskeleton, typically to allow for further

Spiders, for example, or lobsters, have tough outer shell systems which provide rigidity and shape to their bodies.

The types of animal that have exoskeletons are molluscs and arthropods; their exoskeleton gives them a rigid support, and protection from damage. In exchange, the exoskeleton will interfere with the growth of the animal. To overcome this, arthropods go through a process called moulting. Through this process, they shed their exoskeleton and replace it with a new, larger one.

Excellent as a principle of defence, exoskeletons may nevertheless cause problems where entities carry an excessive weight to surface-area ratio; or whenever organism growth requires an enlarged exoskeleton.

2 Human exoskeletons

2.1 Exoskeletons in history

Medieval armour (in the case of mounted knights) furnishes an example of an artificial human exoskeleton. Modern motorists use automobileAn automobile usually called a car (an old word for carriage) or a truck is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own engine. Older terms include horseless carriage and motor car with "motor" referring to what is now usually called the engine. The act of opes as temporary protective exoskeletons in harsh traffic environments.

2.2 Exoskeletons in medicineSee drugs, medication, and pharmacology for substances that treat patients. This article is about medical practice. Medicine is a branch of health science concerned with restoring and maintaining health and wellness. Broadly, it is the practical science o

An orthosis (plural orthoses) is a prosthesisFoosball with two prosthetic limbs In medicine, a prosthesis is an artificial extension that replaces a missing part of the body. Contrast with orthosis that supplements the body. Prostheses are typically used to replace parts lost by injury (traumatic) o which attaches externally to a limbA limb (from the Old English lim is a jointed appendage of the human or animal body; a large or main branch of a tree; a representative, branch or member of a group or organization. Most animals use limbs for locomotion, such as walking, running, or climb to aid or correct the function of that limb. Orthotic(s) is the term used to describe the use of such an prosthesis.