Turtle and Tortoise Terminology
Beak The horny covering of the upper jaw of some turtles and tortoises, much like the beak of a bird.
Bridge The part of the shell connecting the plastron to the carapace.
Carapace The top shell coveing the back.
Cloaca The internal chamber where the urinary, digestive, and genital canals empty their contents.
Gular The front projection of the plastron, under the head, facing forward; males use the gular to battle with each other.
Keel A ridge in the shell, usually from front to rear.
PlastronThe lower shell covering the belly
Scute A single section of the shell; each shell is made up many scutes.
