Re: Definitions

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-01-22 00:45:48 EST, tidwell@ix.netcom.com (Virginia
Tidwell) writes:

>
>  I am currently doing some research into the sauropoda and have come 
>upon a few descriptive terms with which I am not familiar.  Any help in 
>this area would be greatly appreciated.
>
> 1. opisthocoelous ("backward cupped")

Adjective describing vertebrae in which the front of the centrum is convex
(bulges out) and the rear of the centrum is concave--so the front of the
vertebra behind fits into it like a ball-and-socket. A feature of most
sauropod cervical vertebrae and many theropod cervicals and dorsals.

> 2. amphicoelous ("doubly cupped")

Adjective describing vertebrae in which the front and back of the centrum are
concave. A feature of dinosaur vertebrae that were not supposed to move very
much relative to one another, such as posterior dorsals.

> 3. procoelous ("forward cupped")

Adjective describing vertebrae in which the front of the centrum is concave
and the back of the centrum is convex, so that the forward vertebra fits into
the next rear vertebra like a ball-and-socket. Exactly opposite of
"opisthocoelous." A feature of titanosaurid caudal vertebrae.