ˈapəˌdēm noun
also apod·e·ma əˈpädəmə
( plural apodemes -ēmz ; also apodemas -əməz ; or apodem·a·ta ˌapəˈdeməd.ə)
Etymology: New Latin apodema, from apo- + -dema (from Greek demas body, bodily build); akin to Greek demein to build — more at timber
: one of the internal ridges or ingrowths from the exoskeleton of most arthropods that support the internal organs, provide points of attachment for the muscles, and constitute the endoskeleton of the animal