furca

1. (zoology) A forked structure, a fork-like part.Examples: "Сaudal duct splits up in front of furcae into two canals reaching middle of furcae, where it opens with pores."; "It has a mesosternum with well-developed, sessile furca. The arms of the mesosternal furca have a broad median and strictured and hemispherical apical part."; "Insects like grasshoppers use a specialized structure called the furca to facilitate jumping. The furca operates as a spring, compressing until a critical point is reached, where potential energy converts to kinetic energy, enabling a powerful jump."