Anguidae

Anguidae View in CoL View at ENA ( Figs 34 View Figure 34 , 41M, N View Figure 41 )

Each otooccipital of anguids composes less than one-third of the occipital condyle. Two hypoglossal foramina are usually present, but rarely there is a third. In Pseudopus apodus , the external opening of one of the foramina is merged with that of the vagus foramen, but they are still recognizable as different foramina because of the presence of a septum between them. The paroccipital process is subrectangular, with only a weak widening by the distal end. It is moderately short in Anguis gr. An. fragilis ( Fig. 34A–E View Figure 34 , 41O View Figure 41 ) and long in Pseudopus apodus ( Fig. 34F–J View Figure 34 ). Both the anterior and the posterior surfaces of the process are smooth. Ventrally, the otooccipital develops a projection that posteriorly encloses the lateral opening of the recessus scalae tympani, even if the basioccipital is not completely excluded from its formation.

STAPES

The paired stapes ( Fig. 42 View Figure 42 ) is a small bone composed of a slender shaft and an enlarged medial footplate.