Acrodont (Noun)
Meaning
An animal having teeth consolidated with the summit of the alveolar ridge without sockets.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The acrodont dentition of the early reptiles allowed for a more efficient biting mechanism compared to their predecessors.
- In some species of lizards, the teeth are attached to the jawbone as acrodonts, which can lead to tooth wear and replacement issues.
- Acrodont teeth are often found in ancient reptiles, such as the early archosaurs, which used this dental structure for grasping and tearing prey.
- The acrodont dentition of the extinct group of reptiles known as the rhynchocephalians is characterized by a distinctive fusion of the teeth to the jawbone.
- The acrodont teeth of some modern lizards, like the chameleons, are adapted for catching insects and other small prey.