What are Premaxillae?

Premaxillae (singular: premaxilla) are small bones located in the front of the skull, just behind the nasal bones and above the maxilla bones. They are present in some tetrapods, including amphibians and reptiles, but not in mammals.

In these animals, the premaxillae form part of the upper jaw and help to support the teeth. They are typically small and fragile, and may be lost or modified in certain species. For example, some species of frogs have large premaxillae that are used for grasping and tearing flesh during feeding.

In contrast, mammals do not have premaxillae. Instead, they have a single bone called the maxilla, which forms the upper jaw and supports the teeth. The absence of premaxillae in mammals is thought to be related to the development of mammary glands, which require a more rigid skull structure to support the suckling young.