Hypsodont
Encyclopedia
Hypsodont dentition
is characterized by high-crowned teeth
and enamel which extends past the gum line. This provides extra material for wear and tear. Some examples of animals with hypsodont dentition are cows
, horses and deer
; all animals that feed on gritty, fibrous material. The opposite condition is called brachydont
.
Dentition
Dentition pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age...
is characterized by high-crowned teeth
Tooth
Teeth are small, calcified, whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or for defensive purposes. The roots of teeth are embedded in the Mandible bone or the Maxillary bone and are...
and enamel which extends past the gum line. This provides extra material for wear and tear. Some examples of animals with hypsodont dentition are cows
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, horses and deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
; all animals that feed on gritty, fibrous material. The opposite condition is called brachydont
Brachydont
Brachydont is a type of dentition characterized by low-crowned teeth, as opposed to high-crowned, hypsodont teeth. Human teeth are brachydont.-External links:*http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/topics/mammal_anatomy/tooth_diversity.html...
.