Complex neurovascular system in the dentary of <i>Tyrannosaurus</i>

The morphology of the neurovascular canal in the jaw has been analysed in several fossil reptiles, including theropod dinosaurs. However, the details of the neurovascular canal in the dentary of theropods have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we described the well-preserved dentary of <i>Tyrannosaurus rex</i>, analysed the morphology of the neurovascular canal in the dentary using computed tomography techniques, and compared its distribution pattern with other dinosaurs and extant crocodiles. The results show that the neurovascular canal in the dentary of <i>Tyrannosaurus</i> exhibits a rather complex branching amongst the sampled dinosaurs, and that the complexity is comparable to that of extant crocodilians. The complexity of the canal branching is likely related to the high tactile sensitivity of the dentary, suggesting that the jaw tip of <i>Tyrannosaurus</i> may have played an essential role as a sensitive tactile sensor.已有研究针对包括兽脚类恐龙在内的多种化石爬行动物的颌骨内神经血管管形态展开了分析。然而，兽脚类恐龙齿骨内神经血管管的细节结构尚未完全阐明。本研究对保存完好的雷克斯暴龙（Tyrannosaurus rex）齿骨进行了描述，采用计算机断层扫描（computed tomography）技术分析了该齿骨内神经血管管的形态，并将其分布模式与其他恐龙及现存鳄类进行了对比。研究结果显示，在本次采样的恐龙类群中，雷克斯暴龙齿骨内的神经血管管分支结构相当复杂，其复杂程度可与现存鳄类相媲美。该管道分支的复杂程度或与齿骨的高触觉灵敏度相关，这表明雷克斯暴龙的颌尖可能作为高敏感触觉感受器发挥了关键作用。

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集聚焦于霸王龙（Tyrannosaurus）齿骨中神经血管系统的研究，通过计算机断层扫描技术分析其复杂分支结构，并与其它恐龙及现存鳄鱼进行比较。研究发现，霸王龙齿骨的神经血管管分支复杂性高，可能与高触觉敏感性相关，提示其下颚尖端可能作为重要的触觉传感器。数据集包含图像和3D文件，适用于古生物学和生物物理学领域的分析。