amphistyly

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amphistyly A type of jaw suspension in which the upper jaw is attached by ligaments to both the chondocranium and to the second visceral (hyoid) arch. Amphistyly results in a large gape with the jaw extending back behind the cranium and is present in primitive members of the Elasmobranchii (e.g. Cladoselache). Compare HYOSTYLY.

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