centra types

Question 1

amphicoelous

Answer 1

concave on both faces, adult notochord runs through center, supported by intervertebral pad
rigid and must be supported by muscles
chondrichthyes, actinopterigii

Question 1

Procoelous

Answer 1

ball and socket joint (one concave side, one protruding side), allow for more twisting
Concave on the anterior face
Lissamphibia

Question 2

Opisthocoelous

Answer 2

ball and socket joint
concave on posterior face
Lissamphibia, lepidosaurs, crocodylidae

Question 3

Heterocoelus

Answer 3

saddle shaped joints between vertebrae allowing very high levels of mobility without dislocation or spinal damage
found in cervical region of taxa with long flexible necks
bird necks and turtle necks

Question 4

Acoelous

Answer 4

articulations formed via flat surfaces of vertebral centrum separated by intervertebral disks formed from fibrous tissue surrounding jelly-like remains of the notochord
good shock absorbers, very stable, but less mobility and greater chance of disc damage
mammals have this