The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
(_a_) The first or =mandibular arch= is the largest of the series, and
forms the upper and lower jaws. Each half of the upper jaw or
=palato-pterygo-quadrate= bar is formed by a thick cartilaginous rod
which meets its fellow in the middle line in front, the two being
united by ligament. Each half is connected to the cranium just in
front of the orbit by the =ethmo-palatine ligament= (fig. 6, 10), and
at its hind end articulates with one of the halves of the lower jaw.
Each half of the lower jaw or =Meckel's cartilage= (fig. 6, 12) is a
cartilaginous bar, wide behind but narrow in front, where it is united
to its fellow by a median ligament. Imbedded in the tissue external to
the upper jaw are a pair of =labial cartilages=, and a similar but
smaller pair are imbedded in the tissue external to the lower jaw.
The jaws are developed from a structure whose dorsal and ventral
portions subsequently become of very different importance. The ventral
portion forms both upper and lower jaws, the former being developed as
an outgrowth from the latter. The dorsal portion forms only the
=pre-spiracular ligament= (fig. 6, 20), a strong fibrous band
containing a nodule of cartilage, and running from the anterior part
of the auditory capsule to the point where the jaws are connected with
the hyomandibular.
(_b_) The =hyoid arch= consists of a pair of cartilaginous rods which
are attached at their dorsal ends to the cranium, and are united
ventrally by a broad median plate of cartilage, the =basi-hyal=. Each
rod is divided into a dorsal portion, the =hyomandibular= and a
ventral portion, the =cerato-hyal=. The =hyomandibular= (fig. 6, 13)
is a short stout rod of cartilage projecting outwards, and somewhat
backwards and downwards from the cranium, with which it articulates
behind the orbit and below the postorbital groove. Its distal end
articulates with a rather long slender bar, the =cerato-hyal= (fig. 6,
14), which is in its turn attached to the side of the =basi-hyal=. The
=basi-hyal= is a broad plate, rounded in front and drawn out behind
into two processes to which the two halves of the first branchial arch
are attached. The posterior surfaces of both hyomandibular and
cerato-hyal bear slender cartilaginous processes, the =gill rays=. The
hyoid arch forms the main =suspensorium= or means by which the jaws
are attached to the cranium. This attachment is chiefly brought about
by a series of short ligaments which connect the posterior ends of
both upper and lower jaws with the hyomandibular, but there is also a
ligament connecting the lower jaw with the cerato-hyal. The attachment
of the jaws to the cranium is also partially effected by the
pre-spiracular and ethmo-palatine ligaments.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account