ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
190 
or bony palate, which forms the partition between the cavities of 
the nose and mouth : posteriorly, this plate denticulates with 
the palate bone; anteriorly, with the anterior maxillary bone. 
The surface is bounded along the outer side by the alveolar pro¬ 
cesses, and between it and them runs a groove for the conduit of 
the palatine artery. 
The Superior or Nasal Surface forms the outer side and half 
of the floor of the nasal cavity. Like the inferior surface it is 
concave, but unevenly so, being more excavated towards the 
posterior than the anterior part: in fact, the broad channel 
formed by both bones constitutes three-fourths of the bony pari- 
etes of the nasal cavity. To a longitudinal spine running along 
either side of this channel is attached the inferior turbinated 
bone, dividing it laterally into two canals named the inferior 
and middle meatus. At the supero-posterior part of the nasal 
chamber, behind the superior turbinated bone, the maxillary 
sinus opens through an oval aperture into the middle meatus : 
within the meatus itself, anteriorly to this, arched over by a 
little transverse eminence, is the orifice of the lachrymal con¬ 
duit, which is traversed by the lachrymal duct. 
Extremities. The Posterior swells into a large rounded 
protuberance, the maxillary tuberosity; between which and the 
palate bone is a hiatus presenting three apertures: one is the 
posterior palatine foramen ; another, the anterior palatine fora¬ 
men and conduit leading to the palato-maxillary canal; the 
third is that of the infra-orbital canal, leading to the foramen 
of the same name. To the outer side of the tuberosity is the 
malar process, articulating with the malar and lachrymal bones 
and the zygomatic process of the temporal.— The Anterior or 
Dental Pxtremity is pyramidal and laminous, and contains an in- 
curvated, conoid, alveolar cavity for the lodgement of the tusk : 
it denticulates with the anterior maxillary bone. 
Borders. The Superior or Nasal is laminous to be united to 
the nasal bone; and has a mortise in its fore part to receive the 
border of the anterior maxillary bone.— The Inferior or Alveolar 
' Border presents two parallel plates divided by transverse septa 
into six quadrangular cavities, the alveoli, for the implantation 
of the molar teeth. Behind the last molar tooth is-the alveolar 
tuberosity, a rugged eminence giving attachment to the ptery- 
goideus internus. — T/?e Internal or Palatine Border denticulates 
with its fellow. 
Connection, With the squamous temporal and nasal bones ; 
and with the anterior maxillary, malar, lachrymal, palate and 
inferior turbinated bones. 
