endocranium

American  

[en-doh-krey-nee-uhm] / ˌɛn doʊˈkreɪ ni əm /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

endocrania

1. the inner lining membrane of the skull; the dura mater.

2. the inside surface of the skull.

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endocranium British  

/ ˌɛndəʊˈkreɪnɪəm /

noun

1. anatomy the thick fibrous membrane that lines the cranial cavity and forms the outermost layer of the dura mater

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Other Word Forms

• endocranial adjective

Etymology

Origin of endocranium

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at endo-, cranium

Example Sentences

Members of this subfamily differ from those of the subfamily Diplocercinae in having several paired and unpaired elements in the sphenethmoid region of the endocranium, instead of only one larger ossification.

From A New Genus of Pennsylvania Fish (Crossoperygii, Coelacanthiformes) from Kansas by Echols, Joan

In viewing the changes in the endocranium of Carboniferous and Permian coelacanths, it would be well to consider the mechanical relationship of the loss of the basipterygoid processes to the effect on swallowing prey.

From A New Genus of Pennsylvania Fish (Crossoperygii, Coelacanthiformes) from Kansas by Echols, Joan

Synaptotylus and Rhabdoderma are included in the subfamily Rhabdodermatinae, because both exhibit reduced ossification in the endocranium and retain basipterygoid processes.

From A New Genus of Pennsylvania Fish (Crossoperygii, Coelacanthiformes) from Kansas by Echols, Joan

Synaptotylus is more closely related to Rhabdoderma than to the Diplocercines because the anterior portion of the endocranium contains only a basisphenoid, parasphenoid, and probably ethmoids.

From A New Genus of Pennsylvania Fish (Crossoperygii, Coelacanthiformes) from Kansas by Echols, Joan