194 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT 



loosely articulated with the maxilla and with the bone of the 

 opposite side by smooth (harmonic) sutures. The medial margin 

 is supported by the dorsal edge of the nasal septum. The internal 

 surface bears the nasoturbinal scroll. 



The Vomer 

 The vomer is the median, somewhat sickle-shaped, vertical 

 plate of bone separating the ventral portions of the nasal fossae. 

 It is visible from the palatal surface through the incisive foramina, 

 but its extent is best shown in the divided skull. It forms a support 

 for the ventral border of the nasal septum, and its posterior portion 

 bears a shelf-like projection, the ala vomeris, which assists in the 

 support of the ethmoturbinal. 



The Lacrimal Bone 

 The lacrimal bone (os lacrimale) is a small element lying in the 

 anterior wall of the orbit. It is loosely articulated with the sur- 

 rounding bones. It consists of a very thin basal portion, somewhat 

 rectangular on its orbital surface, and of two processes, namely, the 

 subcutaneous process and the hamulus lacrimalis. The sub- 

 cutaneous process is the prominent, somewhat thickened, hook-like 

 projection extending laterad beyond the orbital rim. The hamulus 

 lacrimalis is a small process, directed toward the nasal cavity. It 

 bears a groove which, in association with a corresponding groove 

 of the maxillary bone, forms the first portion of the nasolacrimal 

 canal and the lateral end of which separates the hamulus below 

 from the subcutaneous process above. 



The Palatine Bone 

 The palatine bone (os palatinum) forms the posterior portion 

 of the palatine bridge and the major portion of the lateral wall of 

 the nasopharynx. It consists of two portions — horizontal and 

 perpendicular. The horizontal portion (pars horizontalis) is that 

 lying in the plane of the palatal surface. It is articulated in front 

 with the palatine process of the maxilla, the suture between the 

 two bones enclosing the greater palatine foramen, the ventral 

 termination of the pterygopalatine canal. The perpendicular 

 portion (pars perpendicularis) is the vertical plate extending 



