=Sutures of the Skull.=--The bones of the skull join each other by means
of immovable articulations known as sutures. These sutures are
designated by combining the names of the bones between which they are
situated: as, =sphenofrontal= suture (=sutura sphenofrontalis=), between
the sphenoid and frontal; =nasomaxillary= suture (=sutura
nasomaxillaris=), between the nasal and maxillary bones. When a suture
joins the two corresponding bones of opposite sides the prefix =inter=
is used, as the =intermaxillary= suture (=sutura intermaxillaris=)
between the maxillaries. The sutures bounding the parietals have,
however, received special names not derived in this manner. The suture
caudad of the parietals, separating them from the occipital and
interparietal, is known as the =lambdoidal= suture; that between the two
parietals is the =sagittal= suture; that separating the parietals and
squamous portions of the temporals is the =squamous= suture; that
between the parietals and frontals is the =coronal= suture. The suture
separating the two frontals also is known as the =frontal= suture, in
place of interfrontal.
=Articulations of the Mandible.=--In man the two halves of the mandible
are united craniad, so as to form a single bone. In the cat the two
halves are separate, but articulate closely at the =symphysis menti= by
a thin interarticular cartilage.
The articulation of the mandible at the mandibular fossa of the temporal
is covered with a close =articular capsule=. The mandibular fossa is
lined with cartilage. A slender ligament passes from the angular
process of the mandible caudad to the external auditory meatus, being
attached to the latter about 8 millimeters from its medial end. This is
the =stylomandibular ligament=.