Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Kryptid on 22/04/2008 21:09:39

Title: Do these reptillian mouth structures have a name?
Post by: Kryptid on 22/04/2008 21:09:39

I see these membranes or flaps of flesh or whatever they are in the corners of the mouth of some lizards and reconstructed dinosaurs. Do these structures have a name? They are usually pink, white or some lighter color than the surrounding skin:

[diagram=332_0]

My diagram is fairly crude, so here are some links that show them better:

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/dinosaursTrips.htm (http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/dinosaursTrips.htm)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/eden/giants2_03.html (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/eden/giants2_03.html)

Title: Do these reptillian mouth structures have a name?
Post by: Evie on 07/08/2008 16:34:08

Though I am not a reptilian expert, I believe those are simply the jaw-connecting ligaments, which can be covered by a flap of skin. The technical term for the same in humans is the temporomandibular ligament. There are also several minor jaw ligaments, and below is a link with good technical descriptions and diagrams (of the human jaw musculature).

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/temporomandibular+joint/

Here is a link describing it in reptiles, and it is referred to only as the "jaw-connecting ligaments."

http://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/trex.html/