In
zoology
Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and ...
, the hypostome can refer to structures in distinct animal groups:
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Hypostome (trilobite)
The hypostome is the hard mouthpart of trilobites found on the ventral side of the cephalon (head). The hypostome can be classified into three types based on whether they are permanently attached to the rostrum or not and whether they are aligne ...
, the ventral mouthpart plate in trilobites
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Hypostome (tick)
The hypostome (also called the maxilla, radula, or labium) is a calcified harpoon-like structure near the mouth area of certain parasitic arthropods including ticks, that allows them to anchor themselves firmly in place on a host vertebrate w ...
, the barbed attachment structure associated with the mouthparts of parasitic arachnids
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Hypostome (cnidarian), the oral tip surrounded by tentacles in hydrozoan cnidarians
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