Interclavicle
Bone which, in most tetrapods, is located between the clavicles
An interclavicle is a bone which, in most tetrapods, is located between the clavicles. Therian mammals (marsupials and placentals) are the only tetrapods which never have an interclavicle, although some members of other groups also lack one. In therians, it is replaced by the sternum, which is similar in shape and function but forms via endochondral ossification (cartilage forming bone). The interclavicle, on the other hand, develops through intramembranous ossification of the skin.
The interclavicle is widely found in tetrapods, but has only been rarely reported in a few fish, in which it is small.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Interclavicle”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- The Osteology of the Reptiles p127.png by Samuel Wendell Williston, Public domain
Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.