124 



SKELETON OF THE OX 



The anterior palatine foramina are an inch or more from the posterior margin^ 

 and about the same distance apart. The palatine grooves are distinct for a short 

 distance only. Just beyond the cheek teeth the palate narrows and becomes con- 

 cave; beyond this it widens and flattens. 



The posterior or nuchal surface is extensive and somewhat pentagonal in 

 outline in the adult. About its center is the eminence for the attachment of the 

 ligamentum nuchse. From this a median crest extends toward the foramen mag- 

 num, and laterally two lines (Lineae nuchae superiores) curve outward, marking the 

 upper limit of the area which is roughened for muscular attachment. The surface 

 above the lines is relatively smooth, and is covered only by the skin and the thin 

 auricular muscles in the living animal. It is separated from the cranial roof by a 

 thick border, which forms centrally the frontal eminence, and bears at its extremi- 



FiQ. 95. — Cross-section of Skull of Ox. Section Fig. 96. — Cross-section of Skull of Ox. Section 

 Passes Through Fifth Cheek Tooth. Passes through Second Cheek Tooth. 



a, b, c, Superior, middle, inferior meatus; h' , communication between middle meatus and cavity of upper 

 part of inferior turbinal; c', communication between inferior meatus and lower part of inferior turbinal; d, cavity 

 of superior turbinal; e, /, outer and inner walls of d; g, h, upper and lower cavities of inferior turbinal bone; i, 

 ba.sal lamella of inferior turbinal; ;', /", upper and lower divisions of inferior turbinal bone; k, floor of nasal cav- 

 ity; m, lacrimal sinus; n, maxillary sinus; p, palatine sinus; q, septum between maxillary and palatine sinuses; 

 r, infraorbital canal; s, septum between palatine sinuses; t, common meatus; !/, naso-lacrimal canal; v, floor of 

 nasal cavity and roof of palatine sinus; 1, septum nasi; 2, posterior part of second cheek tooth; 3, posterior 

 part of fifth cheek tooth; 4, hard palate. (After Ellenberger, in Leisering's Atlas.) 



ties the processus cornu — except in the polled breeds. The condyles are further 

 apart, and the articular surfaces are more clearly divided into upper and lower parts 

 than in the horse. 



The cranial cavity is shorter and its long axis is more oblique than in the horse, 

 but it is relatively high and wide. The anterior fossa lies at a much higher level 

 than the rest of the floor. The olfactory fossae are smaller, and the sella turcica is 

 much deeper than in the horse. A deep groove leads from the petrous temporal 

 forward over the foramen ovale to the foramen rotundum. Behind the sella there 

 is often a distinct prominence (Dorsum sellae). The internal sagittal crest is promi- 

 nent anteriorly, but absent further back. A faintly marked elevation takes the 

 place of the tentorium osseum. The small petrous temporal bone projects into 

 the cavity laterally. The ridges and digital impressions are very pronounced. 

 The parieto-temporal canal is formed entirely in the temporal bone, and opens at 



