The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
Two pairs of bones are associated with the optic capsules, viz. the
_lachrymals_ and the _supra-orbitals_. The _lachrymal_ (fig. 44, 3) is
a fairly large flattened bone lying wedged in between the maxillae,
nasal, jugal, and prefrontal. It forms a considerable part of the
anterior boundary of the orbit, and is pierced by two foramina. On the
orbital edge is a large hole leading into a cavity within the bone
which lodges the naso-lachrymal sac, and communicates with the narial
passage by a wide second foramen near the anterior end of the bone.
The _supra-orbital_ is a very small loose bone lying in the eyelid
close to the junction of the frontal and prefrontal.
* * * * *
The =Olfactory capsules= and associated bones.
Two pairs of membrane bones, the _vomers_ and _nasals_, are developed
in association with the olfactory organ, but the =mesethmoid= is not
ossified.
The _vomers_ form a pair of delicate bones, each consisting of a
vertical plate (fig. 45, 15), which with its fellow separates the two
narial passages, and of a horizontal plate which forms much of their
roof. The vomers articulate with one another and with the pterygoids,
palatines, and maxillae.
The _nasals_ (fig. 45, 2) are very long narrow bones extending along
the middle line from the frontal almost to the anterior nares. They
are continuous laterally with the premaxillae, maxillae, lachrymals and
prefrontals. They form the roof of the narial passages.
3. THE UPPER JAW AND SUSPENSORIAL APPARATUS.
These are enormously developed in the Crocodile and are firmly united
to the cranium. It will be most convenient to begin by describing the
bones at the anterior end of the jaw and to work back thence towards
the brain-case. The most anterior bones are the _premaxillae_. The
_premaxillae_ (figs. 44 and 45, 1) are small bones, each bearing five
pairs of teeth, set in separate sockets in their alveolar borders.
They constitute almost the whole of the boundary of the =anterior
nares=, which are confluent with one another and form a large
semicircular opening in the roof of the skull, leading into the wide
narial passage. They are also partially separated from one another in
the ventral middle line, by the small =anterior palatine vacuity=
(fig. 43, A, 8). They form the anterior part of the broad =palate=.
The alveolar border on each side between certain of the teeth is
marked by pits which receive the points of the teeth of the other jaw.
The first pair of these pits in the premaxillae are often so deep as to
be converted into perforations. Pits of the same character occur
between the maxillary and mandibular teeth.
[Illustration FIG. 45. LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH THE SKULL OF AN
ALLIGATOR (_Caiman latirostris_). × 1/3. (Brit. Mus.)
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