A general term for the appendages of somites four to nine ( = cephalon somites four to six and thoracic somites one to three). They are the, often small, appendages preceding the often large first pereiopods, and are placed around and behind the mouth opening on the ventral side of the body. They include in backward sequence: the mandible, maxillula, maxilla and the first, second and third maxillipeds. They all play a role in the dissection and ingestion of food.