pleurodont

9.9

An animal with teeth attached to the inner jaw instead of in sockets

noun
/ˈplʊərəˌdɒnt/

Specialized

: pleurodonto

Several lizard species are classified as pleurodont due to the way their teeth are fixed to their jaws.

Examples

Some reptiles, like iguanas, are classified as pleurodonts.
Paleontologists identified the fossil as a pleurodont based on its distinctive dental structure.
Unlike thecodonts, a pleurodont has teeth that are not set in sockets but attached along the inner jaw.
The pleurodont species are fascinating to study.
Paleontologists identified the fossil as a pleurodont based on its distinctive dental structure.
Several lizard species are classified as pleurodont due to the way their teeth are fused to their jaws.
Unlike thecodonts, a pleurodont has teeth that are attached along the inner jaw rather than set in sockets.

Surface Forms

pleurodont singular

pleurodonts plural

Morphology

pleurodont = tooth (opaque) = pleuro + dont

Formed from specialized Greek combining forms ('pleuro-' and '-dont') that are not familiar to average learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from English base words.

Etymology

The word pleurodont comes from Greek parts pleuro- meaning 'side' and -dont meaning 'tooth', seen in English in words like orthodontist, a tooth doctor. So, it literally means 'side tooth' and that helps you remember that a pleurodont has teeth attached to the inner side of the jaw instead of sitting in sockets.