The medically important arthropods belong to the phylum Arthropoda (having a segmented body and jointed limbs). These invertebrates usually have a chitinous shell. The term ectoparasite refers to external (living outside the body, for example, on the skin of a human).
A fomite is an inanimate object capable of transmitting infectious organisms from human to human (eg., clothing, brushes and combs, furniture).
Myiasis refers to any disease (infection, inflammation, etc.) that results from fly larvae infestation.
Nit refers to a louse egg.
Vector refers to an insect or other organism that transmits a pathogen.
Zoonotic refers to any animal disease capable of being transmitted to humans.
Arthropod body orientation
Anterior: Located in the front (cranial)
Dorsal: Located on the upper side or back
Posterior: Located in the rear or behind, backside (caudal)
Ventral: Located on the underside or abdominal location
Arthropod body parts
Festoons: Indentations seen on the posterior end of some hard ticks
Hypostome: Hard mouthpart structure; may refer to any of several mouthparts
Operculum: Egg cover or lid
Palps: Pair of elongated, often segmented sensory appendages arising from mouthparts
Proleg: Small, fleshy, stubby leg located on the ventral surface of the abdomen (larval forms)
Spiracle, spiracular plate: The opening in the exoskeletons to allow air to enter the trachea. The plate is the hard part surrounding the spiracle.
