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Lizard Gastrointestinal System (view source)
Revision as of 20:44, 15 March 2010
, 20:44, 15 March 2010→Teeth
The teeth are generally '''pleurodont''' (attached to the sides of the mandible without sockets) but in some families, such as [[Water Dragon|agamids]] ([[Lizard Classification|Agamidae]]) and [[Chameleon|chameleons]] (Chamaeleonidae), they are '''acrodont''' (attached to the biting edges of the jaws without sockets). The teeth of the venomous [[Gila Monster|Gila monster]] and the [[Mexican Beaded Lizard|Mexican beaded lizard]] are grooved to allow the flow of venom; however they have no direct connection to the sublingual venom glands. Venom is injected with the chewing action as it flows along the dental grooves.
The teeth are generally '''pleurodont''' (attached to the sides of the mandible without sockets) but in some families, such as [[Water Dragon|agamids]] ([[Lizard Classification|Agamidae]]) and [[Chameleon|chameleons]] (Chamaeleonidae), they are '''acrodont''' (attached to the biting edges of the jaws without sockets). The teeth of the venomous [[Gila Monster|Gila monster]] and the [[Mexican Beaded Lizard|Mexican beaded lizard]] are grooved to allow the flow of venom; however they have no direct connection to the sublingual venom glands. Venom is injected with the chewing action as it flows along the dental grooves.
Pleurodont teeth are shed and replaced whereas acrodont teeth are only replaced in very young specimens. For [[Water Dragon|agamids]] and [[Chameleon|chameleons]], special care should be taken to avoid damaging the acrodont teeth when opening a lizard's mouth with a rigid speculum as these teeth are irreplaceable. Furthermore, acrodont dentition is reportedly susceptible to periodontal disease.
Pleurodont teeth are shed and replaced whereas acrodont teeth are only replaced in very young specimens. For [[Water Dragon|agamids]] and [[Chameleon|chameleons]], special care should be taken to avoid damaging the acrodont teeth when opening a lizard's mouth with a rigid speculum as these teeth are irreplaceable. Furthermore, acrodont dentition is reportedly susceptible to [[Lizard Gastrointestinal Diseases|periodontal disease]].
===Tongue===
===Tongue===