Molar Cervical Root Cross-Sectional Morphology and Diet in Extant Catarrhines.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

External tooth root morphology has demonstrated utility in understanding the mechanical function of teeth including patterns of loading during mastication and the overall mechanical challenge of foods consumed. Yet, there is still a paucity of information regarding how signals of diet, apart from these patterns, might be reflected in root form. This study examines whether a cross-section taken from the molar root cervix contains signals related to diet and masticatory function in extant catarrhine primates.

Methods

Micro-CT scans of 11 genera of catarrhines were used to obtain 188 mandibular molars (M₁, M₂, and M₃) from the right side. A single slice taken from the cervical margin was used to generate cross-sectional properties for

SUBMITTER: Sims ZR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12625805 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature