Zoology 365

Biology of Mammals

Spring Semester, 2006

Terri McElhinny- Michigan State University
Words of the Week- Ungulates

Pedicel: any stalk or stem supporting an organ or other structure (e.g. antler)

Metapodial: general term used for either a metacarpal or metatarsal

Mesaxonic: type of foot structure where the main axis of weight is supported by a single digit ; plane of symmetry of each foot passes through the 3rd metapodial

Paraxonic: type of foot structure where the main axis of weight passes between two similarly sized digits; plane of symmetry of each foot passes between 3rd and 4th metapodial

Cannon bone: a load-bearing bone consisting of fused 3rd and 4th metapodials; in bovids and cervids fusion is complete, and in camelids the distal ends remain separate

Lacrimal foramen: a hole on the surface of the lacrimal bone that serves as an exit for the lacrimal duct (the tear duct)

Preorbital vacuity: gap or opening between the nasal and the lacrimal bones, anterior to the orbit