prearticular
The prearticular is a bone of the mandible (lower jaw) found in various jawed vertebrates, particularly in fossil groups and early sarcopterygian and amniote lineages. The name reflects its typical position near the jaw joint, usually on the inner surface of the lower jaw, and its relation to the articular bone.
In many taxa, the prearticular forms part of the mandibular arcade and contributes to the posterior and
Functionality and development of the prearticular are tied to the broader evolution of the jaw. In early
Because the presence and morphology of the prearticular vary considerably across taxa, it is largely a feature