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Cheek teeth

Camel skull showing the cheek teeth and the diastema

Cheek teeth or postcanines comprise the molar and premolar teeth in mammals. Cheek teeth are multicuspidate (having many folds or tubercles). Mammals have multicuspidate molars (three in placentals, four in marsupials, in each jaw quadrant) and premolars situated between canines and molars whose shape and number varies considerably among particular groups. For example, many modern Carnivora possess carnassials, or secodont teeth. This scissor-like pairing of the last upper premolar and first lower molar is adapted for shearing meat. In contrast, the cheek teeth of deer and cattle are selenodont.[1] Viewed from the side, these teeth have a series of triangular cusps or ridges, enabling the ruminants' sideways jaw motions to break down tough vegetable matter. Cheek teeth are sometimes separated from the incisors by a gap called a diastema.[2]

Cheek teeth in reptiles are much simpler as compared to mammals.[3]

  1. ^ "The Diversity of Cheek Teeth". Animal Diversity Web. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. ^ Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia. Second Edition. Volume 12. Mammals I. Gale 2004
  3. ^ Austin Community College handout. http://www.austincc.edu/sziser/Biol%201413/1413%20handouts/reptile%20vs%20mammals.pdf

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