Forcipules go by a variety of names in both scientific and colloquial usages. They are sometimes known as
poison-claws or
jaw legs, referencing their evolution from maxillipeds, a term which they are also sometimes known by in the context of centipedes (
maxillipeds, maxillipedes). Other names include
prehensors, telopodites, and forcipulae (singular
forcipula). In the specific case in which the forcipules are used to inject venom, they are called
toxicognaths (from
toxic + the
Ancient Greek γνάθος, jaw). The term
forcipule references their similarity with
forceps. == Anatomy, systematics, and variation ==