Publication Date
7-29-1971
Series Number
152
Abstract
Fore-aft translatory freedom of jaw articulation and alignment of muscle fibers with the bite point make the chief adductor muscles of most reptile and mammal jaws mechanically very efficient. The force generated by the adductor muscles acts directly against the food at the bite point with no reaction force wasted at the jaw joint. The jaw is functionally a link and not a lever. Translatory freedom of the jaw joint is provided either by a sliding jaw joint (in most mammals, birds and some reptiles) or by a two-jointed jaw suspension (in most lizards and snakes).
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