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 7 diastema DHJanzen100920.jpg high resolution
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| The diastema is very visible here as a large gap between the molars and the canines. In effect, the face is evolutionarily extended forward as a way of increasing the gape of the bear. This also means, however, that the muscles that drive the outermost part of the bite are then further back from the point of contact of the canines with the prey. The primary muscles for the bite by the lower jaw have been cut away in this image, but most of them would have been out of the photograph to the left. Note how much the molars look like yours when viewed from the side. | ||
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