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Hyposphene and hypantrum
We all know the hyposphene as an accessory intervertebral articulation
in the form of a posterior projection below the postzygapophyses, and
the hypantrum as a corresponding notch below the prezygapophyses, the
hyposphene of one vertebra fitting into the hypantrum of the next.
However, Riggs (1904), in the full description of _Brachiosaurus
altithorax_, consistently reverses these two terms. For example, on
pp. 232-233 he writes:
The mesial surface of the prezygapophysis curves
rapidly downward and is continuous with the vertical
articular surface of the hyposphene [should be
hypantrum]. Similarly the articular surface of the
postzygapophysis is continuous with the of the
hypantrum [should be hyposphene] ... The hypantrum is
also slightly expanded inferiorly so as to prevent a
downward displacement of the prezygapophyses.
Does anyone know of other papers that reverse the sense of hyposphene
and hypantrum like this? Is it a simple mistake, or did the terms
have the opposite meanings in the early 20th century?
_/|_ ___________________________________________________________________
/o ) \/ Mike Taylor <mike@indexdata.com> http://www.miketaylor.org.uk
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