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Selenodont teeth are the type of molars and premolars commonly found in ruminant herbivores. They are characterized by low crowns, and crescent-shaped cusps when viewed from above (crown view).[1]
The term comes from the Ancient Greek roots σελήνη (selḗnē, 'moon' or 'moonlike'), and ὀδούς, ὀδόντος (odoús, odóntos, 'tooth').[1] They differ from human molars in that the occlusal surface is not covered in enamel; rather, the layers of enamel, dentine, and cementum are all exposed, with cementum in the middle, surrounded by a layer of enamel, then a layer of dentine, all wrapped in a second outer layer of enamel.[1]
Viewed from the side, selenodont teeth form a series of triangular cusps. The combination of triangular profiles with ridges formed by the exposed layers makes the lateral chewing motion of ruminants an effective way to break-up tough vegetable matter.
Referencesedit
^ abcDorit, Robert L.; Warren F. Walker Jr; Robert D. Barnes (1991). Zoology. Orlando, Florida, USA: Saunders College Publishing. pp. 925–926. ISBN9780030305047.
December 15, 2023
selenodont, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, march, 202. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Selenodont news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2020 Selenodont teeth are the type of molars and premolars commonly found in ruminant herbivores They are characterized by low crowns and crescent shaped cusps when viewed from above crown view 1 The term comes from the Ancient Greek roots selhnh selḗne moon or moonlike and ὀdoys ὀdontos odous odontos tooth 1 They differ from human molars in that the occlusal surface is not covered in enamel rather the layers of enamel dentine and cementum are all exposed with cementum in the middle surrounded by a layer of enamel then a layer of dentine all wrapped in a second outer layer of enamel 1 Viewed from the side selenodont teeth form a series of triangular cusps The combination of triangular profiles with ridges formed by the exposed layers makes the lateral chewing motion of ruminants an effective way to break up tough vegetable matter References edit a b c Dorit Robert L Warren F Walker Jr Robert D Barnes 1991 Zoology Orlando Florida USA Saunders College Publishing pp 925 926 ISBN 9780030305047 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Selenodont amp oldid 1155176613, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
