ODONTOGLYPH Meaning and
Definition
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The term "odontoglyph" is a noun referring to a specialized structure found in various animals, particularly reptiles and mollusks. The word is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "odonto" meaning "tooth" and "glyph" meaning "to carve or engrave."
An odontoglyph is a dental apparatus or organ that is specialized for inflicting venomous or poisonous bites or stings. It consists of modified teeth, fangs, or other sharp structures arranged in a specific pattern within the animal's mouth or feeding apparatus. These teeth or structures can inject venom or poison into prey or predators, serving a predatory or defensive function.
Odontoglyphs are commonly found in venomous snakes, such as cobras, vipers, or rattlesnakes, where they are located in the upper jaw and are connected to venom glands. In mollusks, particularly venomous marine cone snails, the odontoglyph is a barbed radula, a specialized ribbon-like tongue covered in rows of teeth that are capable of injecting venom into their prey.
The development of an odontoglyph is an adaptive feature that has evolved due to the selective pressures of capturing prey or defending against predators. The design and composition of odontoglyphs can vary greatly across different species, reflecting the specific ecological niche and feeding habits of the organism.
In conclusion, an odontoglyph refers to a specialized dental structure in animals that is adapted to deliver venom or poison through bites or stings.
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An instrument for removing tartar from the teeth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ODONTOGLYPH
- idontoglyph
- kdontoglyph
- ldontoglyph
- pdontoglyph
- 0dontoglyph
- 9dontoglyph
- osontoglyph
- oxontoglyph
- ocontoglyph
- ofontoglyph
- orontoglyph
- oeontoglyph
- odintoglyph
- odkntoglyph
- odlntoglyph
- odpntoglyph
- od0ntoglyph
- od9ntoglyph
- odobtoglyph
- odomtoglyph
Etymology of ODONTOGLYPH
The word "odontoglyph" is derived from two Greek roots: " odont-" meaning "tooth" and "glyphē" meaning "carving" or "engraving". Both of these roots are commonly used in scientific and technical terms related to dentistry. In the case of "odontoglyph", it is specifically used to refer to the type of teeth found in snakes, which have modified structures for injecting venom.
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