Posterolateral palatal pits

In anatomy, posterolateral palatal pits are gaps at the sides of the back of the bony palate, near the last molars.[1] Posterolateral palatal pits are present, in various degrees of development, in several members of the rodent family Cricetidae. Many members of the family lack them or have only simple pits, but Arvicolinae (voles, lemmings, and relatives) and Oryzomyini (rice rats and relatives) have more highly developed posterolateral palatal pits.[2] Posterolateral palatal pits are also present in some other rodents, including Glis, Jaculus, Hystrix, Abrocoma, Ctenomys, Chinchilla, and Lagidium.[3]

  1. ^ Weksler, 2006, p. 34
  2. ^ Carleton, 1980, table 7
  3. ^ Jenkins et al., 2005, appendix 3