Scapino R
J Morphol. 1981 Mar;167(3):339-75. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051670308.
The hemimandibles in carnivorans may be united in various ways at the symphysis menti. The symphysis may contain a readily flexible joint that permits a moderate amount of independent movement of the hemimandibles. This type of symphyseal union is primitive for and widely distributed in extant carnivorans. In other carnivorans, the symphysis is patent but allows slight or essentially no independent movement of the hemimandibles. Finally, the hemimandibles may be rigidly united by synostosis of the symphysis. The morphology, movement and, insofar as possible, function of these types of symphyses are described.
食肉动物的半侧下颌骨在颏联合处可能以多种方式相连。联合处可能包含一个易于灵活活动的关节，允许半侧下颌骨进行适度的独立运动。这种联合类型在现存食肉动物中是原始的且分布广泛。在其他食肉动物中，联合处是开放的，但半侧下颌骨只能进行轻微或基本没有独立运动。最后，半侧下颌骨可能通过联合处的骨性结合而牢固相连。本文描述了这些类型联合处的形态、运动以及尽可能涉及的功能。
