HYPOGNATHOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Hypognathous is an adjective word used to describe the anatomical condition of having a lower jaw that is placed posteriorly or underneath the upper jaw. It is derived from the Greek words "hypo" meaning "under" and "gnathos" meaning "jaw".
In biology and zoology, hypognathous often refers to the positioning of the mouthparts in insects and the lower jaw in animals. It indicates the characteristic of having a lower jaw that is shorter or shorter than the upper jaw, resulting in a receded or inferior facial structure. This anatomical configuration is commonly observed in certain species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
In anthropology, hypognathous refers to a specific facial characteristic where the lower part of the face tends to recede or is positioned below the upper part, creating an underdeveloped jawline. This term is often used in the context of discussing cranial features and facial anthropometry.
The opposite condition of hypognathous is known as prognathous, where the lower jaw protrudes or extends beyond the upper jawline. Understanding the variations in jaw placements and facial profiles is crucial in various scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology, comparative anatomy, and facial morphology analysis.
Overall, hypognathous is a term that describes a specific configuration of the lower jaw in animals and humans, indicating a receded or inferior positioning relative to the upper jaw.
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Having a projecting lower jaw, or mandible.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPOGNATHOUS
- gypognathous
- bypognathous
- nypognathous
- jypognathous
- uypognathous
- yypognathous
- htpognathous
- hgpognathous
- hhpognathous
- hupognathous
- h7pognathous
- h6pognathous
- hyoognathous
- hylognathous
- hy-ognathous
- hy0ognathous
- hypignathous
- hypkgnathous
- hyplgnathous
Etymology of HYPOGNATHOUS
The word "hypognathous" originates from the combination of two Greek roots: "hypo", meaning "under" or "beneath", and "gnathos", meaning "jaw". Therefore, when these roots are combined, "hypognathous" literally translates to "underjawed" or "having a lower jaw". This term is commonly used in the field of biology to describe organisms, particularly insects, with a mandible or lower jaw that is positioned beneath the upper jaws.
