involucrum
9.9
A thick layer of bone that covers the ear bone of whales
- noun
- /ˌɪnvəˈlʌkrəm/
- Specialized
:
involucro
- The only ear known for Ambulocetus shows that the involucrum is present, but the region of the sigmoid process is not preserved.
Examples
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In modern whales, the involucrum helps to support the auditory bulla and enhance hearing.
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Researchers studied the involucrum in various fossilized whale species to understand their evolution.
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The involucrum serves as a protective layer in the ear structure of many cetaceans.
Surface Forms
involucrum singular
involucra plural
Etymology
Involucrum comes from the Latin involvere, which means 'to wrap' and has parts in- 'in' and volvere 'to roll'. So in whales an involucrum is a thick bony 'wrap' over the ear bone that helps protect the ear and aid hearing.
