Osteoderm
Definition
Bone embedded within the skin dermis, characteristic of crocodilians and some lizards. Survives tanning and provides a species-group identification marker visible as a hard, calcified structure in a cross-section or under X-ray.
Related terms
- CITES leather guide
- A reference document maintained by the CITES Secretariat providing scale/pit patterns, macroscopic key characters, and species notes for major commercially traded reptile...
- Histological cross-section
- A 5-10 micrometre thin section cut perpendicular to the skin surface, stained and mounted for light microscopy. Reveals dermis architecture (collagen orientation,...
- Integumentary sense organ (ISO)
- Pressure and chemical sensory pits visible as small circular depressions on reptile scales. In crocodilians their distribution pattern distinguishes crocodiles from alligators...
- Lamellar microstructure
- The layer-cake cross-section of pangolin scales visible under light microscopy, reflecting the keratinised plates that build up the scale. Distinguishes pangolin scales...
- Pit pattern
- The arrangement of scale pits or ISO pores on reptile skin. Scale pit pattern is one of the primary characters in the...
Explained in
- Scale, Skin, and Leather IdentificationBone embedded within the skin dermis, characteristic of crocodilians and some lizards. Survives tanning and provides a species-group identification marker visi...