The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
Each =quadrate= (fig. 38, 3) forms the outer boundary of the tympanic
cavity, and is firmly united on its inner side with the opisthotic,
exoccipital, and pterygoid. Dorsally it is fixed to the squamosal and
anteriorly to the quadratojugal. Its outer surface is marked by a deep
recess, and it ends below in a strong condyle with which the mandible
articulates. In front of the quadrates are a pair of thin plate-like
bones, the _quadratojugals_ which are united in front to the jugals or
malars.
The _jugals_ (fig. 38, 17) are also thin plate-like bones, and form
part of the posterior boundary of the orbit. They are attached
dorsally to the postfrontals, and anteriorly to the maxillae, while
each also sends inwards a horizontal process which meets the pterygoid
and palatine.
The _maxillae_ (figs. 38 and 39, 16) are a pair of large
vertically-placed bones, each drawn out ventrally into a straight,
sharp, cutting edge. They form the lateral boundaries of the anterior
nares, and each sends dorsalwards a process which meets the
postfrontal. Each also sends inwards a horizontal =palatine process=,
which meets the palatine and vomer, and also forms much of the floor
of the narial passage.
The _premaxillae_ (figs. 38 and 39, 15) are a pair of very small bones
forming the floor of the anterior narial opening, they are wedged in
between the two maxillae, and send back processes which meet the vomer
and palatines.
The _palatines_ (fig. 39, 10) are a pair of small bones firmly united
with the pterygoids behind, with the maxillae and jugals externally,
and with the vomer in the middle line. Each also gives off a palatine
plate which unites with the expanded lower edge of the vomer, and
forms the ventral boundary of the posterior nares. Anteriorly the
palatines form the posterior boundary of a large foramen through which
the ophthalmic branches of the fifth and seventh nerves pass to the
olfactory organs.
The _pterygoids_ (fig. 39, 9) are a pair of large bones which unite
with one another by a long median suture. They are united also with
the palatines in front, and with the quadrate, basisphenoid,
basi-occipital, and exoccipitals behind. Each also sends dorsalwards a
short =alisphenoid plate= which meets that from the parietal.
Piercing the posterior end of the _pterygoid_ is the prominent opening
of the carotid canal; a bristle passed into this hole emerges through
a foramen lying between the pro-otic and the alisphenoid process of
the pterygoid.
(2) THE LOWER JAW OR MANDIBLE.
The =mandible= consists of one unpaired bone, formed by the fusion of
the two _dentaries_, and five pairs of bones, called respectively the
=articular=, _angular_, _supra-angular_, _splenial_ and _coronoid_.
The fused _dentaries_ (fig. 38, 12) form by far the largest of the
bones; they constitute the flattened anterior part of the mandible,
and extend back below the other bones almost to the end of the jaw.
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