A cingulid is a term used to describe the structure of some
mammalian
A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the Class (biology), class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three ...
cheek teeth
Cheek teeth or postcanines comprise the molar and premolar teeth in mammals. Cheek teeth are multicuspidate (having many folds or tubercles). Mammals have multicuspidate molars (three in placentals, four in marsupials, in each jaw quadrant) and ...
which refers to a ridge that runs around the base of the
crown
A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, parti ...
of a lower molar.
The equivalent structure on upper molars is called the
cingulum. The presence or absence of a cingulid is often a diagnostic feature for mammal remains.
Some animals don't have a cingulid. Those that do may have them on only some, or all of the teeth, though most often on the molar teeth. There are four common descriptions of the position of the cingulid:
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Lingual cingulid - a cingulid on the side of the tooth that is next to the tongue
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Labial cingulid - a cingulid on the side of the tooth that is next to the lips or cheeks
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Distal
Standard anatomical terms of location are used to describe unambiguously the anatomy of humans and other animals. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position provi ...
cingulid - a cingulid on the side of the tooth facing the tooth behind it in the jaw (can also be referred to as a posterior cingulid)
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Mesial
This is a list of definitions of commonly used terms of location and direction in dentistry. This set of terms provides orientation within the oral cavity, much as anatomical terms of location provide orientation throughout the body.
Terms
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cingulid - a cingulid on the side of the tooth facing the tooth in front of it in the jaw (can also be referred to as an anterior cingulid)
References
Parts of tooth
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