mala

IPA/mˈɑːlə/
KK[mˈɑlə]IPA/mˈɑːlə/

mala — noun

1. 指昆蟲小顎（下顎）內側或外側的一個葉狀構造，位於小顎基部上方，幫助取食時夾持或處理食物

1.noun
Definition

指昆蟲小顎（下顎）內側或外側的一個葉狀構造，位於小顎基部上方，幫助取食時夾持或處理食物

Example

The entomologist showed students how the mala on the grasshopper's maxilla helps hold food while chewing.

mala on the maxilla — anatomical location pattern

Under the microscope, the inner mala of the beetle appeared broader than the outer lobe.

comparative description: inner vs outer mala

Common collocations
  • inner mala
  • outer mala
  • mala of the maxilla
  • mala laciniae
  • mala galeae
Synonyms
  • lacinia

    在某些分類系統中，內葉（inner mala）特稱為 lacinia，外葉（outer mala）稱為 galea

  • maxillary lobe

    較通俗的描述性名稱，非解剖學專有名詞

Grammar Patterns

mala + of + anatomical part

Usage Note

在昆蟲解剖學中，mala 專指小顎上的葉狀構造，而非大顎。區別於 sense 2（大顎的磨碎面）和 sense 3（多足類大顎的第三節）。

Common Mistakes

The mala is part of the insect mandible.
The mala is part of the insect maxilla.
mala 位於小顎（maxilla），而非大顎（mandible），但 sense 2 和 sense 3 指的是大顎的結構。

2. 指昆蟲大顎上用於磨碎或咀嚼食物的表面區域，通常具有脊狀突起或齒狀構造，用以將固體食物研磨成較小顆粒

2.noun
Definition

指昆蟲大顎上用於磨碎或咀嚼食物的表面區域，通常具有脊狀突起或齒狀構造，用以將固體食物研磨成較小顆粒

Example

The beetle's mala showed deep wear marks from years of grinding through tough plant stems.

wear marks — evidence of grinding function

A scanning electron microscope image revealed that the mala of the cricket mandible has a series of parallel ridges.

SEM observation — scientific methodology context

Common collocations
  • sclerotised mala
  • ridged mala
  • mala of the mandible
  • molar mala
  • worn mala
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

mala + of + mandible

Usage Note

此 sense 專指大顎（mandible）上的磨碎面，而非 sense 1 的小顎（maxilla）葉狀構造。常見於咀嚼式口器昆蟲（如甲蟲、直翅目）。

Common Mistakes

The mala is used for piercing the prey.
The mala is used for grinding and crushing solid food.
mala（磨面）的功能是研磨，而非刺穿。

3. 指某些多足類動物（如蜈蚣、馬陸）大顎的第三個節段，為大顎最末端的部分，常具有齒狀突起，用於處理食物

3.noun
Definition

指某些多足類動物（如蜈蚣、馬陸）大顎的第三個節段，為大顎最末端的部分，常具有齒狀突起，用於處理食物

Example

In the centipede Scolopendra, the third segment of the mandible — the mala — is armed with sharp teeth.

Scolopendra genus — specific taxon

Dr. Okonkwo's study of millipede anatomy confirmed that the mala varies in shape across different orders.

cross-order morphological variation

Common collocations
  • third segment
  • mala of myriapods
  • distal mala
  • apical mala
  • mala dentata
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

mala + of + mandible + in + myriapod group

Usage Note

此 sense 僅用於多足類動物（myriapods），如蜈蚣（Chilopoda）和馬陸（Diplopoda），不適用於昆蟲。區別於 sense 1（昆蟲小顎）和 sense 2（昆蟲大顎磨面）。

Common Mistakes

All insects have a mala on their mandible.
The mala as a mandibular segment occurs in myriapods, not in insects.
sense 3 的用法限定於多足類，昆蟲大顎不稱為 mala。