The spelling of the word "toothed vertebra" may seem confusing due to the combination of two silent letters in "toothed", but it is simply pronounced as "tooth-d" with the "th" sound sounding like a soft "t". The "ed" ending in "toothed" indicates that it is in the past tense. "Vertebra" is spelled as it sounds, with the stress on the first syllable and the "e" pronounced like "uh". So, the correct pronunciation of "toothed vertebra" is /tuðd ˈvɜrtɪbrə/.
A toothed vertebra is a term used in anatomical and osteological contexts to refer to a specific type of bone structure found in the spine of vertebrate animals, including mammals, reptiles, and fish. Also known as a cervico-thoracic transition vertebra, it is characterized by the presence of small projections or ridges resembling teeth on the sides of the vertebral body.
In these specialized vertebrae, the bony projections, or teeth, are located on the anterior and posterior surfaces, giving the appearance of serrated edges. These teeth-like structures serve as attachment sites for various ligaments, tendons, and muscles, thus adding stability and facilitating movement in the spinal column.
Toothed vertebrae are typically positioned at the transition point between two different regions of the spine, such as the cervical (neck) and thoracic (chest) vertebrae in mammals. They play a crucial role in ensuring smooth articulation and movement between these distinct spinal regions, allowing for flexibility and the transmission of forces throughout the vertebral column.
The presence of toothed vertebrae varies among different animal species and can be an important characteristic for taxonomic classification in some cases. Their unique morphology aids in the identification and differentiation of species, highlighting the remarkable diversity and adaptability in the structural anatomy of vertebrates.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "toothed vertebra" is a descriptive compound term derived from two separate words: "toothed" and "vertebra".
The word "toothed" is an adjective meaning having teeth, or possessing tooth-like projections or ridges. It comes from the noun "tooth", which originated from the Old English word "tōþ" and ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "tanþs".
The word "vertebra" is a noun referring to one of the individual bones that make up the spine or backbone in vertebrate animals. It comes from the Latin word "vertebra", which means a joint or a joint of the spine.
When combined, "toothed vertebra" describes a particular type of vertebra that exhibits teeth-like projections or ridges.