squamosal

American  

[skwuh-moh-suhl] / skwəˈmoʊ səl /

adjective

1. Anatomy. of or relating to the thin, scalelike portion of the temporal bone that is situated on the side of the skull above and behind the ear.

2. Zoology. pertaining to a corresponding bone in other vertebrates.

3. squamous.

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noun

1. a squamosal bone.

squamosal British  

/ skwəˈməʊsəl /

noun

1. a thin platelike paired bone in the skull of vertebrates: in mammals it forms part of the temporal bone

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adjective

1. of or relating to this bone

2. a less common word for squamous

Other Word Forms

• supersquamosal adjective

Etymology

Origin of squamosal

1840–50; < Latin squāmōs ( us ) squamous + -al ¹

Example Sentences

In mammals, the dentary bone joins the skull at the squamosal bone, while in other vertebrates, the quadrate bone of the jaw joins with the articular bone of the skull.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

It has especially prominent squamosal horns, an especially rugose-looking integument, and a neat, mottled pattern that involves black blotches on a greenish or yellowish ground colour.

From Scientific American • Feb. 22, 2014

The squamosal of R. elegans is nearly triangular and notably different from that of Synaptotylus newelli.

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

Shortly thereafter the anterior arm of the squamosal ossifies, the distal part of the columella appears, and the anterior and lateral parts of the auditory region ossify.

From Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca by Duellman, William E.

But the squamosal bone with which it always unites is in less close union with the brain case, and never covers the brain itself.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.