opisthotic, a. (n.) Comp. Anat.
(ɒpɪsˈθɒtɪk, -əʊtɪk)
[f. opistho- + Gr. οὖς, ὠτ- ear, ὠτικ-ός of the ear.]
Epithet of one of the otic or periotic bones, situated at the back of the ear; separate, or fused with one of the occipital bones, in Fishes, Reptiles, and Birds; in Mammals, fused with the other otic bones, and forming that part of the petrosal bone which contains the auditory chamber. b. as n. The opisthotic bone.
| 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life 43 A glenoid cavity which is formed by the squamosal, opisthotic and prootic bones. 1872 Mivart Elem. Anat. 106 The Opisthotic constantly anchyloses with the lateral part of the occipital before it unites with the pro-otic in all Vertebrates below Mammals. 1892 Syd. Soc. Lex., Opisthotic centre, the ossification centre of the opisthotic bone. |