Squamosal bone facts for kids
The squamosal is a bone found in the head of many animals with backbones, like reptiles, birds, and mammals. It's a key part of the cheek area in the skull, located towards the back and lower side of the head.
What is the Squamosal Bone?
The squamosal bone is an important part of the skull in animals called amniotes. Amniotes are a group of vertebrates that includes reptiles, birds, and mammals. This bone forms the main part of the cheek region. You can find it towards the back and lower part of the skull.
The Squamosal in Mammals
In mammals, which include humans, the squamosal bone doesn't stay separate. It joins together with other bones to create a larger bone called the temporal bone. When it becomes part of the temporal bone, it's known as the 'squama temporalis'. This fused bone is very important for the structure of the side of your head.
How the Jaw Connects
In ancient animals called therapsids, which were ancestors of mammals, their lower jaw was simpler. It was mostly made up of just one bone called the dentary. This dentary bone connected directly to the squamosal bone. This special connection is called a 'dentary-squamosal jaw'. It's a key feature that helps scientists understand how jaws evolved over time.
See also
In Spanish: Escamosal para niños
