Biology 3.6 Trends in Human Evolution

Foramen magnum

a large hole located in the occipital bone at the base of the skull

Diastema

a gap between teeth

Sagittal crest

a bony ridge on the top of the skull that runs lengthwise along the midline

Maxillary arch

upper dental arch

Mandibular arch

lower dental arch

Incisors

the front eight teeth with four on top and four on bottom

Canines

four pointed teeth located next to the incisors

Premolars

eight teeth situated between the canines and molars

Molars

the 12 largest and strongest teeth at the back of the mouth

Mandible

the lower jawbone at the base of the skull

Occipital condyles

the two raised ridges on either side of the foramen magnum opening

Nuchal crest

the part of the skull where the neck muscles attach

Zygomatic arch

the cheekbone ridge on the side of the skull

Brow ridge

crest of bone above the eyebrows

Cranium

upper dome shaped area of the skull covering the brain

Prognathism

a condition where one or both jaws project forward, resulting an overbite, underbite or facial misalignment

Biological evolution

biological evolution is the changes in genetic information as it is passed down from one generation to the next

Hominid

hominid is a group of primates that includes all modern and extinct great apes

Hominin

Hominis refers to any species dead or alive that belongs to the human lineage