The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
(_c_) Each of the five =branchial arches= is a hoop, incomplete above
and formed of four or more pieces of cartilage. The most dorsal
elements, the =pharyngo-branchials=, are flattened, pointed plates
whose free inner ends run obliquely backwards, and terminate below the
vertebral column. They are connected at their outer ends with the
short broad =epi-branchials= (fig. 6, 16) which lie at the sides of
the pharynx. From the epi-branchials arise the long =cerato
branchials= (fig. 6, 17) which run forwards and inwards along the
ventral wall of the pharynx. The first four cerato-branchials are
connected with small rods, the =hypo-branchials=, which run backwards
to meet one another in the middle line. The last two pairs of
hypo-branchials and the fifth cerato-branchials are connected with a
broad median plate, the =basibranchial=. Along the outer sides of the
second, third and fourth cerato-branchials are found elongated curved
rods, the =extra-branchials= (fig. 6, 19). The epi-branchials and
cerato-branchials bear gill rays along their posterior borders.
C. THE SKELETON OF THE MEDIAN FINS.
The =dorsal fins= have a skeleton consisting of a series of short
cartilaginous rods, the =basals= or basalia, which slope obliquely
backwards. Their bases are imbedded in the muscles of the back, while
their free ends bear a number of small polygonal cartilaginous plates,
the =radials= or radiale. Associated with this cartilaginous skeleton
are a number of long slender horny fibres, the fin-rays, which have
been already referred to in connection with the exoskeleton. The
skeleton of the other median fins mainly consists of these fibres, the
cartilaginous portion being reduced or absent.
2. THE APPENDICULAR SKELETON.
This includes the skeleton of the two pairs of limbs and of their
respective girdles.
THE PECTORAL GIRDLE forms a crescent-shaped hoop of cartilage,
incomplete above and lying just behind the visceral skeleton. The
mid-ventral part of the hoop is the thinnest portion, and is drawn out
in front into a short rounded process which is cupped dorsally and
supports part of the floor of the pericardium (fig. 7, 1). On each
side of this flattened mid-ventral portion the arch becomes very thick
and bears on its outer border a surface with which the three basal
cartilages of the fin articulate. The dorsal ends or scapular portions
of the girdle form a pair of gradually tapering horns.
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