The lateral part of the chitinous ring that surrounds each somite, the dorsal part being the tergite, the ventral the sternite. The pleura of the abdominal somites are often well developed and show as lateral plates that are directed downward and protect the pleopods; together with the sternites they may form a gutter-like cavity on the lower surface of the abdomen, which holds the pleopods and the eggs. The pleura may be either large, rounded or triangular, or small and short. Their sculpturation, shape and spination are important taxonomic characters.

Alternative form for pleuron : pleura.