Skull Full of Air
Friday December 19, 2008
Researchers from Ohio University have shown that dinosaurs had more air cavities in their skulls than first thought. They made this discovery through the use of CT scans which enabled them to develop 3-D images of skulls from predator and plant eating dinosaurs.
The researchers believe that the air spaces helped to make the head lighter and the bones hollow. These features enabled dinosaurs to have a light skull with enhanced strength. Further studies also showed resemblances among the air spaces in dinosaurs, crocodiles, and ostriches. As compared to human sinuses, dinosaurs have much more air spaces due to their smaller brain size.
Learn more about this study, see:
The researchers believe that the air spaces helped to make the head lighter and the bones hollow. These features enabled dinosaurs to have a light skull with enhanced strength. Further studies also showed resemblances among the air spaces in dinosaurs, crocodiles, and ostriches. As compared to human sinuses, dinosaurs have much more air spaces due to their smaller brain size.
Learn more about this study, see:
- Dinosaurs Were Airheads, CT Scans Reveal (Science Daily)
Comments
Great post I actually didn’t know that! Glad to see you updating this even during these tough economic times.
Sarah,
Watch Daybreakers Online site admin, fellow blogger.