The Ornithosauria: An elementary study of the bones of Pterodactyles made from fossil remains found in the Cambridge Upper Greensand, and arranged in the Woodwardian Museum of the University of CambridgeSeeley, H. G. (Harry Govier)
Science
The Ornithosauria: An elementary study of the bones of Pterodactyles made from fossil remains found in the Cambridge Upper Greensand, and arranged in the Woodwardian Museum of the University of Cambridge
Seeley, H. G. (Harry Govier)
Pterosauria
All the Cretaceous Pterodactyles have the articular surfaces of
the centrum transversely oblong, as have some birds. The posterior
articulation is convex from side to side, and convex from above
downward, and appears to extend a little further on this neural than
on the hæmal surface; in outline it is commonly an elongated oval,
but sometimes attends on the upper surface of the inferior lateral
tubercles. The anterior articulation is transversely elongated, concave
in both directions, and sub-triangular in outline; that is to say, the
superior outline is more or less convex, and from its limits to the
mesial tubercle at the base, the inferior outlines are more or less
concave.
The neural canal is sub-circular or ovate in outline, and quite as
large as the neural canal in vertebræ of Dinornis of similar size.
The neural arch like the centrum has commonly a depressed appearance.
It always has a neural spinous process which is directed upward. In
the depressed type the neural surface of the vertebra is in outline
usually sub-quadrate, but concave at each side, and concave in front
and behind; the four corners are the processes which support the
zygapophysial facets, the surface is divided into two lateral parts by
the strong neural spine. These lateral parts are from front to back
flat, or slightly concave, or slightly convex; and from the neural
spine outward they are always concave. The neural spine is commonly
sharp in front and flattened behind. The neural arch is placed well
forward, so that while a third of the neural canal remains uncovered by
it behind, rarely a sixth would be uncovered in front.
The anterior and posterior zygapophyses are commonly connected by a
more or less rounded ridge, undefined above, but well defined below,
since under its posterior part at about the middle of the side of the
centrum is placed the pneumatic foramen.
The anterior zygapophysial processes are separated from the anterior
articular surface of the centrum by a more or less oblique channel.
Towards the base of this channel in many vertebræ may be seen a small
and short flattened antero-posterior perforation corresponding in
position with the usually large perforation for the vertebral artery.
If the passages are to be regarded as having subserved such a function,
it will not be without interest to remark the small relative size of
the cerebellum in these animals; since the vertebral artery conveys the
blood to that region of the brain.
The anterior zygapophyses are strong processes directed forward and
outward, compressed a little from side to side; they are placed at the
outer sides of the anterior articular face of the centrum, and extend
in front of it.
The zygapophysial facet is commonly oval and looks upward and inward
and forward.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account