tooth
Sign in to saveA tooth (: teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, tearing food, for defensive purposes, to intimidate other animals often including their own, or to carry prey or their young. The roots of teeth are covered by gums. Teeth are not made of bone, but rather of multiple tissues of varying density and hardness that originate from the outermost embryonic germ layer, the ectoderm.
AI overview
A tooth is a hard, calcified structure in the jaws of many vertebrates that primarily breaks down food, though some animals also use teeth to capture prey, tear food, or defend themselves. Teeth are made of multiple tissues of varying density rather than bone, with their roots covered by gums.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Anatomy.Name
- Tooth
- Anatomy.Latin
- dens
- Anatomy.Greek
- ὀδούς (odoús)
- Anatomy.Image
- Close up - chimpanzee teeth.png
- Anatomy.Caption
- A chimpanzee displaying his teeth
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
23 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Origin
- Mammals
- Aardvark
- Canines
- Cetaceans
- Primates
- Horse
- Proboscideans
- Rabbit
- Rodents
- Manatee
- Walrus
- Fish
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Invertebrates
- Fossilization and taphonomy
- See also
- References
- Sources
- External links
A tooth (: teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, tearing food, for defensive purposes, to intimidate other animals often including their own, or to carry prey or their young. The roots of teeth are covered by gums. Teeth are not made of bone, but rather of multiple tissues of varying density and hardness that originate from the outermost embryonic germ layer, the ectoderm.
The general structure of teeth is similar across the vertebrates, although there is considerable variation in their form and position. The teeth of mammals have deep roots, and this pattern is also found in some fish, and in crocodilians. In most teleost fish, however, the teeth are attached to the outer surface of the bone, while in lizards they are attached to the inner surface of the jaw by one side. In cartilaginous fish, such as sharks, the teeth are attached by tough ligaments to the hoops of cartilage that form the jaw.