Sagittal crest

As a sagittal crest ( crista sagittal ) is called in the anatomy of a bony ridge located medially, peaking from the skull roof and mostly from occiput to the frontal bone into it - that is, along the crest or the sagittal suture - extends. About a sagittal crest in particular have many mammals and reptiles.

The sagittal crest of mammals serves primarily as a starting point and upper abutment for the muscles of mastication and therefore remains largely hidden from the living animal between these muscles; consequently apex combs often fall on only when skeletonized preparation as a striking feature. When fossils are regularly combs apex as evidence of particularly pronounced mandibles and allow - together with other anatomical features specifically the dentition - conclusions on food intake.

Particularly pronounced in the sagittal crest, for example, the tapir, the gorilla and in the species of the fossil genus Paranthropus.

Sagittal crest at the Cave Bear

Sagittal crest in the gorilla

Sagittal crest at the Tapir