EXOSKELETAL

ex·o·skel·e·ton   (ěk'sō-skěl'ĭ-tn)    n.  A hard outer structure, such as the shell of an insect or crustacean, that provides protection or support for an organism. ex'o·skel'e·tal (-ĭ-tl) adj.

Main Entry: exo·skel·e·ton
Pronunciation: "ek-sO-'skel-&t-^&n
Function: noun
1 : an external supportivecovering of an animal (as the system of sclerites covering the body of an insect) —compare ENDOSKELETON
2 : bony or horny parts (as nails, hooves, or scales) of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues —exo·skel·e·tal /-&t-^&l/ adjective

exoskeleton ex·o·skel·e·ton (ěk'sō-skěl'ĭ-tn)
n.

1. All hard parts, such as hair, teeth, and nails, that develop from the ectoderm or mesoderm in vertebrates.

2. A hard outer structure, such as the shell of an insect, that provides protection or support for an organism.