What's the difference between acrodont and thecodont?
Acrodont
Definition:
(n.) One of a group of lizards having the teeth immovably united to the top of the alveolar ridge.
(a.) Of or pertaining to the acrodonts.
Example Sentences:
(1) The greatest variations in tooth attachment have originated in acrodont bony fishes and in pleurodont reptiles, whereas the selection for a single thecodont or socketed type was an important event in the evolution of mammals.
(2) On the basis of the comparative histology of periodontal tissues, protoacrodontal, acrodontal, acro-protothecodontal, pleurodontal and thecodontal structures can be distinguished that depend upon the area of attachment (crestal, marginal or socketed type) and the mode of attachment (ankylosis, fibrous or combined type).
(3) In Uromastix the dentition is acrodont and the cheek teeth are massive and lack cusps.
Thecodont
Definition:
(a.) Having the teeth inserted in sockets in the alveoli of the jaws.
(a.) Of or pertaining to the thecodonts.
(n.) One of the Thecodontia.
Example Sentences:
(1) The greatest variations in tooth attachment have originated in acrodont bony fishes and in pleurodont reptiles, whereas the selection for a single thecodont or socketed type was an important event in the evolution of mammals.
(2) On the basis of the comparative histology of periodontal tissues, protoacrodontal, acrodontal, acro-protothecodontal, pleurodontal and thecodontal structures can be distinguished that depend upon the area of attachment (crestal, marginal or socketed type) and the mode of attachment (ankylosis, fibrous or combined type).
(3) As in the thecodont mammals, the compressive biting (= occlusal) force is transformed into a tensile force by the tooth-fixing apparatus and by the shapes of the jaws and this is sustained by fibrous structures.