pleurocentrumn.
/ˌplʊərə(ʊ)ˈsɛntrəm/, U.S. /ˌplʊroʊˈsɛntr(ə)m/ Zoology and Palaeontology.
Each of a pair of bones in some primitive vertebrates corresponding to the lateral halves of the centrum of a vertebra in reptiles, birds, and mammals.
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the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > spine > [noun] > vertebra of > parts of
pedicle1828
centrum1838
neurapophysis1870
zygostyle1881
pleurocentrum1882
neurocentrum1884
1882 E. D. Cope in Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 1880–81 19 51 The centrum consisting of two parts distinct from the superior neural arch; viz., a lateral piece (pleurocentrum), on each side.
1889 H. A. Nicholson & R. Lydekker Man. Palæontol. (ed. 3) II. 1031 According to Dr. Fritsch's restoration.., the pleurocentra belonging to this vertebra would be on the anterior side.
1958 W. E. Swinton Fossil Amphibians & Reptiles (ed. 2) iv. 17 The pleurocentrum is a rhomboidal bone placed obliquely above and behind the intercentrum.
1994 Nature 7 Apr. 509/1 (caption) Osteolepiforms and panderichthyids... The intercentra (ic.) and pleurocentra (pc.) are comparable to those of early tetrapods, but there are no articulations between the neural arches (na.), and the short ribs were probably directed dorsally.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1882