古生物学术语表
essential terms and definitions for paleontology and dinosaur science.
Anatomy & Morphology
15 termsTerms related to dinosaur body structure, skeletal features, and physical characteristics.
Clade
A group of organisms consisting of a common ancestor and all its descendants. Dinosauria, Theropoda, …
Osteoderms
Bony deposits forming scales, plates, or other structures in the skin. Found in ankylosaurs, stegosaurs, …
Pneumaticity
The presence of air-filled cavities in bones, connected to the respiratory system. Found in theropods …
Supraorbital
Located above the eye socket. Supraorbital ridges or horns are prominent in many theropods and …
Predentary Bone
A small unpaired bone at the tip of the lower jaw, unique to ornithischian dinosaurs. …
Opisthopubic Pelvis
A pelvic configuration in which the pubis points backward, characteristic of ornithischian dinosaurs and also …
Appendicular Skeleton
The bones of the limbs and their supporting girdles (pectoral and pelvic). Differences in appendicular …
Axial Skeleton
The central supporting column of the body, comprising the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum. …
Cranial Crest
A bony projection on the top of the skull, often used for display, species recognition, …
Dermal Armor
Protective bony or keratinous elements embedded in or growing from the skin. Ankylosaurs are the …
Fenestra
An opening or window in the skull. Dinosaur skulls typically have multiple fenestrae that reduce …
Gastralia
Belly ribs found in theropods and some other archosaurs. These thin bony elements helped support …
Nasal Horn Core
The bony base beneath a horn, composed of bone rather than keratin. In ceratopsians like …
Postcranial
All skeletal elements behind and below the skull. Postcranial anatomy includes the vertebral column, limbs, …
Thagomizer
The spiked tail arrangement of stegosaurid dinosaurs. The term was coined from a Far Side …