Enamel histology may provide insights into dental growth & life history traits, but its study in fossils is challenging due to increments identification. This standardized methodological framework helps identify enamel increments correctly, step by step @manonhullot.bsky.social @cr2p.bsky.social

The intervertebral disc has a fat pad structure. This Intervertebral Fat Pad (IVFP) is newly described in this paper from @iatridislab.bsky.social that shows its existence in multiple species and suggesting a function role in disc health and degeneration. doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Pluchot et al describe the six-layered structure of the sheep auditory cortex, noting the likely location of the primary auditory cortex. They show that its organization is similar to that of other mammals, supporting the use of ovine models for auditory processing studies doi.org/10.1111/joa....

New cadaveric evidence supports the tubarial gland as a distinct anatomical structure, with histological validation and the first published description of a macroscopic excretory duct. The findings strengthen the anatomical evidence for a discrete gland in this location. doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Despite variations in muscular attachments, the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia consistently contained collagen bundles oriented in an inferolateral direction from the lumbar spine to the iliac crest, independent of the orientation of the muscular aponeuroses. doi.org/10.1111%2Fjo...

Showcasing the first issue of Volume 249 with work from Suchánek et al. Bichir pectoral fins carry unique "dental plates" (dermal elements bearing tooth-like odontodes) that continuously replace themselves, much like oral teeth, creating a fascinating link between scales, teeth, and locomotion.

@johnnyakatura.bsky.social et al., investigate the scaling of internal joint distance (IJD), a surrogate measure for cartilage thickness, across small- to medium-sized mammals. Elbow position had no significant effect on IJD and used these data to model the range of motion (ROM) at the elbow joint

Our new special issue explores how joints shaped vertebrate evolution through biomechanics, development, anatomy and palaeontology, revealing joints as dynamic interfaces where structure, function and history converge. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨 Journal of Anatomy is looking for a new Editor-in-Chief to join one of the world’s most respected platforms in anatomical science. Passionate about advancing scholarly research in the anatomical sciences? Visit the link - tinyurl.com/znwubuu2

This month Campbell et al. study the electroreceptor ribbon synapses in sturgeon lateral line organs. They found that these synapses in non-teleost ray-finned bony fish are glutamatergic, suggesting further commonalities, but also some differences, with hair cell ribbon synapses tinyurl.com/36f8vax2

Another from the Special Issue - @drjzp.bsky.social and colleagues showcase a new methodology for gaining accurate dimensions of soft tissues during #dissection. Many methods overlook the laxity of soft tissue when describing dimensions and use a 'point-to-point- approach.

Also in this special issue, Tomlinson et al., tested whether calcaneal heel spurs strengthen the plantar fascia’s attachment to the heel. Avulsion frequency did not seem linked to the presence of spurs, suggesting they are unlikely to play a meaningful biomechanical function doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Our new paper is out in @journalofanatomy.bsky.social open access! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Scaling relationships between Haversian canal‐to‐secondary osteon and midshaft femur cortical‐to‐total area in a human autopsy sample

We report that femoral cortical thickness was strongly and negatively associated with secondary osteon porosity in an Australian autopsy sample, indicating that thicker cortices contained less porous...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

This month’s issue of Journal of Anatomy is a standout special edition dedicated to the fibrous framework. We are celebrating the pioneering work of Professor Mike Benjamin, whose research transformed our understanding of connective tissue biology, particularly the part it plays in the enthesis.

New paper in @journalofanatomy.bsky.social with PAD Wise and AP Russell! We show that using morphological criteria to assign developmental stage provides more ossification sequence resolution than embryo size or developmental time (days). onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... #GeckoEvoDevo

Fresh Friday - Rhynchosaur dentition preserves plesiomorphic amniote tissues, challenging the idea of a “bone of attachment,” suggesting heterochronic shifts in mineralization helped drive gomphosis evolution across multiple amniote clades, including mammals, dinosaurs, and crocodylians

Cranial sutures are overlooked aspects of the mammal skull. Comparing postnatal trajectories in suture shape retrieves plateauing adult complexity for midline sutures. Despite distinct developmental strategies, marsupial and placental suture disparity were found to overlap. doi.org/10.1111/joa....

A suture in time: The ontogeny of cranial suture morphology in mammals

Mammal cranial sutures are important indicators of the biomechanical and developmental pressures acting upon the skull. Across three prominent sutures dividing the vault of the mammalian skull, diver...

doi.org

Now available! A new method paper by Rzepliński et al., utilises radiopaque contrast injected into peripheral nerves for subsequent CT scanning. The method produced excellent models of nerves leaving the specimens ready for further analysis: doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Our new issue! 🦇✨features a cover image from Carter's latest study. Tubercles on the bat pinna reduce drag before stall and increase lift after stall by generating streamwise vortices. These natural surface features likely improve aerodynamic efficiency. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...

Also this month, Šulcová et al., studied how teeth attach to jaws across vertebrates. In veiled chameleons, firmly ankylosed teeth formed via a transient cell type at the tooth–bone interface showing both osteoblast- and odontoblast-like features. The authors call these theorised cells ankyloblasts

Also this month, Manson and @nathanj.bsky.social used finite element modelling informed by neonatal MRI data, to test whether simple mechanical deformation from brain and masticatory muscle growth can predict early cranial shape change, focusing on the basicranium and face doi.org/10.1111/joa....

📢 We’re now on LinkedIn! You can now find the Journal of Anatomy on LinkedIn, as well as here and all the usual places. We’ll continue showcasing the latest research in Development, Evolution and Function, so come find us here 👉 www.linkedin.com/company/jour...

We welcome 2026 with a focus on Dynamic Anatomy. This cover image from Crompton et al., features the pelvis of StW 572, an example of A. prometheus Their new analysis shows human-like pelvic traits and supports multiple modes of bipedalism in early hominins #Paleoanthropology #evolution

Seasons Greetings from all at Journal of Anatomy - watch this space in 2026 for plenty of exciting new findings from the world of anatomical research. We hope you have a peaceful and fulfilling festive period!

Predicting head injury in infants is complicated by large anatomical variability. This study analyzed skull thickness at 12,000+ locations in 266 infants (<12 mo) to identify age/sex-specific anatomical standards based on patterns of skull thickness distribution. doi.org/10.1111/joa....

@rjstrauch.bsky.social investigate the mandibular symphysis in whales. Toothed whales exhibited unfused, partially fused, or fully fused symphyses, while baleen whales evolved a decoupled, highly mobile symphysis that represents a novel condition unobserved in other mammalian clades.

This month's cover image comes from the work of @aaronhgriffing.bsky.social and colleagues, looking at the development of hemibacula. They’re chondroid-like, appear after sexual maturity, grow isometrically, and likely evolved via peramorphosis. Weird, wonderful genital bones!

Aaron Griffing@aaronhgriffing.bsky.social · last yr.

Excited to share a new #OA paper in @journalofanatomy.bsky.social detailing evolution and development of hemibacula: bizarre mineralized elements in hemipenes of croaking geckos. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #GeckoEvoDevo #Aristelliger

🐘🦣 The vertebral column of elephants is a marvel of biological engineering. The remarkable functional morphology and intervertebral mobility of the elephant backbone is explored here, comparing it with that of other large herbivores and their extinct relatives 🐘🦣 doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Rodent semicircular canal (SCC) shape and size reveal how they move! 🐀 Agile arboreal species have larger canals, while fossorial ones have smaller. SCC morphology helps predict locomotor behaviour and even reconstruct how fossil rodents moved 🦴 #Anatomy #Evolution #Rodents doi.org/10.1111/joa....

Striking diversity in the size, density, and distribution of taste papillae across 11 elasmobranch species reveals how sharks, skates, and rays taste their way to better feeding strategies. Atkinson & Collin, whose study graces our new cover, explain more: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580...