Gnathothorax

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Gnathothorax is a term used to describe a characteristic found in some animals, particularly in the jaw structure of vertebrates. In animals with a gnathothorax, the upper jaw (maxilla) is fused with the skull, and the lower jaw (mandible) is articulated with the skull through a joint called the quadrate bone.

This feature is found in some groups of extinct and extant animals, including some species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. For example, all modern birds have a gnathothorax, which is considered to be a key adaptation for their unique feeding behaviors.

The term "gnathothorax" comes from the Greek words "gnathos," meaning jaw, and "thorax," meaning chest.