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Concept

intracranial joint

The intracranial joint is a unique anatomical feature found in coelacanths, consisting of a functional hinge across the middle of the skull. This allows the fish to lift the anterior portion of its head while feeding, significantly widening its gape and increasing the suction power of its mouth. While common in many prehistoric fish lineages, the coelacanth is the only living vertebrate to retain this complex skeletal mechanism, providing insight into ancient vertebrate feeding strategies.

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