Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

lophodont

adjective

/ˌlɒfəˈdɒnt/

Definition

Having cusps on the molar teeth that are arranged in a series of interconnecting ridges or lophs.

Examples

The horse is an example of a lophodont animal, as its molars are adapted for grinding tough plant materials.
Many species of herbivorous mammals display lophodont dentition, which helps them effectively process fibrous vegetation.

Meaning

The term ‘lophodont’ refers to a specific dental morphology characterized by the presence of ridged or loph-like structures on the surfaces of the molars, which are typically found in certain herbivorous animals.