Caruncle (bird anatomy)

Anatomical structures on the head and throat of a domestic turkey. 1. Caruncles, 2. Snood, 3. Wattle (dewlap), 4. Major caruncle, 5. Beard

A caruncle is defined as 'a small, fleshy excrescence that is a normal part of an animal's anatomy'.[1] Within this definition, caruncles in birds include wattles (or dewlaps), combs, snoods, and earlobes. The term caruncle is derived from Latin caruncula, the diminutive of carō, "flesh".[2]

  1. ^ Lexic.us. "Definition of caruncle". Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster. "Caruncle". Retrieved April 20, 2013.