cusp
1
8.3
- noun
- /kʌsp/
- Specialized
:
cúspide
- The sharp cusp on the tooth helps in grinding food effectively.
Examples
-
In primitive land mammals, the basic pattern of each upper molar consists of three main cusps (elevated areas) arranged in a triangle.
Academic text (2001) -
Crests connect all three of these cusps.
Academic text (2001) -
So no sharp edges or cusps or cusps.
-
Only one cusp is present on the talonid (hypoconid) of these archaic cetaceans.
Academic text (2001) -
There are two cusps labially (on the side of the cheek), the paracone and the metacone, and one cusp lingually (on the tongue side), the protocone.
Academic text (2001) -
Lower molars of primitive mammals have a high anterior part (the trigonid) with three large cusps, and a low posterior part (the talonid) with two or three cusps.
Academic text (2001) -
The dentist explained that the cusps of molars play a crucial role in chewing.
-
After the dental examination, the orthodontist noted that the cusps of the patient's teeth were well-formed.
Synonyms
A pointed part on the outer back of an upper molar tooth
Idioms
How Pointed
Surface Forms
Etymology
Cusp in dentistry comes from the Latin cuspis 'point' or 'spear', so a tooth's cusp is like a tiny point or spike on the chewing surface. That's why a broken cusp can change how your teeth meet when you bite.