Exercise 6: Human Osteology: Dentition
57
Frank Pineda
Professor Angela Kirwin
Anthropology 111
4/27/2023
Ex: 6.1
6.1
Basic Features of Human Dentition
Mammalian dentition is characterized by
heterodonty
and
diphyodonty
. We will begin our study of human dentition
by examining these 2 features on the human skull.
Mammalian teeth are characterized by
heterodonty.
Heterodonty refers to the regional differentiation of teeth into
different types: incisors, canines, premolars, molars. In contrast, reptilian teeth are characterized by
homodonty,
where all teeth are of the same type, although they do vary in size in different areas of the mouth. Compare the
dentition of a reptile with that a mammal using skulls that you will find in the lab.
This is a drawing of a complete set of human teeth. We identify the right and left sides from the midline in terms of
the individual’s right and left, not the viewers.
Humans exhibit
heterodonty
. There are four types of teeth. They, along with their abbreviations, are
incisor (I),
canine (C), premolar (P), and molar (M).
When there is more than one of any type of tooth in any one quadrant of
the mouth, we number them from front (or midline) to back, beginning with the number 1. The exception is the
premolar where, in humans, the first and second have disappeared leaving the third and fourth.
We place the
number as a superscript if it identifies an upper tooth; a subscript if it identifies a lower tooth
. We also indicate left
or right with the letters L or R. If we are designating deciduous or baby teeth, we use lower case letters. Thus, the
tooth indicated by A in the drawing is RM
1
(right side, molar, upper first).
Using the diagram in 6.1 of the Lab Reader, identify the teeth in the diagram indicated by the arrows.
Arrow A
Arrow B
Arrow C
Arrow D
Arrow E
Arrow F
RM
1
LI1
LM1
RM3
RC1
LP2
