Clarification of equine dental nomenclature.

The research abstract discusses the need for clarification in the labeling and nomenclature used in a study on the development of coronal cementum in horse teeth.

Request for Clarification of Data Used

• The author asks for clarification on which teeth were used in the study as there is inconsistency in the abstract and the introduction. In the abstract, the “lower 3rd permanent premolar teeth” had been mentioned, whereas the introduction states “mandibular third premolar teeth”.
• An abbreviation PM4 is given which according to the author is used as a denotation for the permanent mandibular fourth premolar tooth in radiographs.
• The author further points out that the permanent mandibular first premolar tooth is usually brachydont, missing or unerupted and does not have a deciduous predecessor.

Typographical Errors and Errors in Labeling

• The author highlights a few typographical errors in the abstract and also points out the fact, for accuracy, that the equine cheek teeth are hypsodont and their crowns are covered in cementum.
• It is also noted that there’s an error in Figure 1 of the study. The labels indicating mesial and distal are incorrectly printed that led to wrong labeling of the mandibular first and second molar teeth as PM3 and PM2, respectively.

Nomenclatural Consistency and Definition of “Mandible”

• The author emphasizes the importance of using nomenclatural terms that align with the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV) for consistency in the horse.
• It is pointed out that the term “hemi-mandible” is not mentioned in the NAV. The NAV doesn’t specify whether there are one or two mandibles per individual, but the use of terms infers that an individual possesses two mandibles.
• The author encourages further exploration of the term “mandible” in human, veterinary, and comparative anatomy, citing a review on this topic. This is relevant to the discussion of whether there is early fusion of the mandibular symphysis in equid species or if the mandibles remain separate throughout life, as seen in canid species.