Deinonychus foramina

[Caleb Lewis <terminator2029@usa.net>]

    I was reading my copy of the Ostrum 1969 paper when I came across
something that struck me as being very odd. In the section describing the
nasal, the text says, "Immediately above the maxillary articulation at the
level of the middle antorbital fenestra there is a distincy but narrow groove
with three moderate-sized, oval foramina. The dorsal surface features a number
of smaller foramina, most of which are irregularly placed, but among these are
six rather prominent, dorasally directed foramina that are arranged in a
straight line and spaced exactly 10 mm apart. I do not recall any record of
such a condition in other theropods and i have no explanation fo this
pattern."
   And when I read that, my curiosity peaked. So, I have two quesions:
   First: what functions could these have served?
   And second: Why would they be only in Deinonychus? Has this been seen in
any other theropods?
    Thanks for your time.

                                             All the best,
                                             Caleb Lewis

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