HAPLODONT Meaning and
Definition
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Haplodont refers to a specific dental structure found in certain animals, primarily herbivorous mammals, particularly rodents. The term is derived from the combination of two Greek words: haplo, meaning single or simple, and dont, which translates to a tooth.
In terms of dentition, haplodont dentition is characterized by teeth with a simple, low-crowned structure. These teeth possess a single rounded ridge running along their length, known as a loph. The loph exhibits a distinctive arrangement of cusps that aid in the efficient chewing and grinding of plant material. The cusps and ridges are usually evenly distributed, enabling these animals to effectively break down fibrous plant matter, facilitating digestion.
Animals with haplodont dentition typically rely on this evolutionary adaptation to process their herbivorous diet effectively. This type of dental structure is commonly observed in various species of rodents, including beavers, voles, squirrels, and many others. They possess continuously growing teeth to compensate for the wear caused by their abrasive diet.
Haplodont dentition is distinguishable from other dental patterns, such as bunodont and selenodont, which feature different arrangements of ridges and cusps. Understanding the anatomical features and specific dental adaptations, such as haplodont dentition, contributes to our understanding of the functional morphology and dietary habits of various animal species.
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Having molar teeth with simple crowns, i.e. without ridges or tubercles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HAPLODONT
- gaplodont
- baplodont
- naplodont
- japlodont
- uaplodont
- yaplodont
- hzplodont
- hsplodont
- hwplodont
- hqplodont
- haolodont
- hallodont
- ha-lodont
- ha0lodont
- hapkodont
- happodont
- hapoodont
- haplidont
- haplkdont
- haplldont
Etymology of HAPLODONT
The word "haplodont" is a compound of two Greek roots: "haplo" and "odont".
- "Haplo" (ἁπλόος) means "single" or "simple" in Greek.
- "Odont" (ὀδούς) means "tooth" in Greek.
Therefore, "haplodont" refers to a dental condition where an animal has simple or single-cusped teeth. This term is commonly used in the field of paleontology to describe certain types of primitive or ancestral teeth.
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