Peristomium

{{Short description|Body segment of an annelid worm containing the mouth and sometimes feeding palps}}

The peristomium is the first true body segment in an annelid worm's body in the anterior end. It is directly behind the prostomium and contains the mouth, tentacular cirri, and sometimes feeding palps, which may instead occur on the prostomium. If an eversible pharynx is present, it is contained in this segment as well, and can fill up to 20 segments when inverted, depending on the species.

The prostomium and peristomium can be variously fused, either completely distinct, or comprising a joint structure of a peristomial ring and a tentacular crown.{{cite book|last=Beesley|first=Pamela|title=Polychaetes & Allies: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Vol. 4A Polychaeta, Myzostomida, Pogonophora, Echiura, Sipuncula|year=2000|publisher=CSIRO Publishing|location=Melbourne, Australia|isbn=0-643-06571-7|pages=11–12|author2=Graham J. B. Ross |author3=Christopher J. Glasby }}