proatlas
Zoology and Anatomy
noun
A vertebral element located between the base of the skull and the atlas vertebra which fuses with the skull during embryonic development in most vertebrates, but persists as a distinct element in some, especially as a pair of small, V-shaped bones anterior to the neural arch of the atlas in certain reptiles (e.g. chameleons and tuataras).
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in American Naturalist.
- Conn.
- Connacht
- connate
- connatural
- connaturally
- Connaught
- connect
- connectable
- connectedly
- connectedness
- Connecticut
- Connecticut River
- connecting rod
- connection
- connectional
- connectionism
- connectionist
- connective
- connective tissue
- connectivity
- connector
- connect time
- Connemara
- Connemara pony
- Conner, Dennis