The Vertebrate SkeletonReynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Science
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Reynolds, Sidney H. (Sidney Hugh)
Skeleton
(1) =Scales.= These are of the type known as =cycloid= and consist of
flat rounded plates composed of concentrically arranged laminae of
calcified matter, with the posterior margin entire. The anterior end
of each scale is imbedded in the skin and is overlapped by the
preceding scales.
(2) The =teeth=. These are small, pointed, calcified structures
arranged in large groups on the premaxillae, mandible, vomer, and
superior and inferior pharyngeal bones.
(3) The =fin-rays=. These are delicate, nearly straight bony rods
which support the fins.
II. ENDOSKELETON.
The endoskeleton of the Codfish, though partially cartilaginous, is
mainly ossified.
It is divisible into an =axial portion=, including the skull,
vertebral column, ribs, and skeleton of the median fins, and an
=appendicular portion=, including the skeleton of the paired fins and
their girdles.
1. THE AXIAL SKELETON.
A. THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN.
This consists of a series of some fifty-two vertebrae, all completely
ossified.
It is divisible into two regions only, viz. the =trunk= region, the
vertebrae of which bear movable ribs, and the =caudal= or =tail=
region, the vertebrae of which do not bear movable ribs.
=Trunk vertebrae.=
These are seventeen in number; the ninth may be described as typical
of them all. It consists of a short deeply biconcave =centrum= whose
two cavities communicate by a narrow central canal. From the dorsal
surface of the anterior half of the centrum arise two strong plates,
the dorsal or =neural processes=, which are directed obliquely
backwards and meet forming the dorsal or =neural arch=. This is
produced into a long backwardly-directed dorsal or =neural spine=.
From the lower part of the anterior edge of each neural arch arise a
pair of blunt triangular projections which overhang the posterior half
of the preceding centrum, and bear a pair of flattened surfaces which
correspond to the anterior or =prezygapophyses= of most vertebrae,
they differ however from ordinary prezygapophyses in the fact that
they look downwards and outwards. From the posterior end of the
centrum arise a pair of short blunt processes each of which bears an
upwardly- and inwardly-directed articulating surface corresponding to
a =postzygapophysis=.
The two halves of the ventral arch form a pair of large
=ventri-lateral processes= which arise from the anterior half of the
centrum and pass outwards and slightly backwards and downwards.
Behind these there arises on each vertebra a second outgrowth which is
small and flattened, and like the ventri-lateral process serves to
protect the air-bladder. The surface of the centrum is marked by more
or less wedge-shaped depressions, one in the mid-dorsal line, and two
on the ventral surface immediately mesiad to the bases of the
ventri-lateral process. There are also a number of smaller
depressions.
The space between one centrum and the next is in the fresh skeleton
filled up by the gelatinous remains of the =notochord=.
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