RE: Ceratopsian Forelimb Articulation

["Stewart, Dwight" <Dwight.Stewart@VLSI.com>]

The mounts of Triceratops I've seen don't show unusual elbow joints, just
very sturdy looking elbow joints.  How much weight & torque the joints could
support would depend not only on elbow morphology & mechanics, but on the
attachment positions for ligaments, tendons, & muscles.
Upper arm "soft tissue" connects that extend even a bit below the joint
would tend to increase
Strength and stability.  How much is known regarding muscle attachments at
the Triceratops elbow?

Dwight

        -----Original Message-----
        From:   Philidor11@aol.com [SMTP:Philidor11@aol.com]
        Sent:   Thursday, September 24, 1998 6:43 AM
        To:     tons@ccs.logicsouth.com
        Cc:     dinosaur@usc.edu
        Subject:        Re: Ceratopsian Forelimb Articulation

        '...we estimate that the humerus [of triceratops' forelegs] would
have needed
        to angle roughly 30 degrees outward from the vertical.'
        Given the weight of the head, doesn't this put substantial weight on
the
        elbows?  I've heard about the ball-and-socket neck, but were the
elbows
        specially adapted too?