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Proboscis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the mouth part. For the butterfly genus, see Proboscis (genus)

Closeup image of the Cairns Birdwing, showing its large proboscis

In general, a proboscis (from Greek pro "before" and boskein "to feed") is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal. The most common usage is to refer to the tubular feeding and sucking organ of certain invertebrates like insects, worms (including proboscis worms) and mollusks. The elephant's trunk is also called a proboscis. An abnormal forehead appendage that sometimes accompanies cyclopia is also called a proboscis. The term is used for primate organs as well: an elongated human nose is sometimes facetiously called a proboscis and the Proboscis Monkey is named for its enormous nose.