cleithrum
bone
Quick Summary
The cleithrum is a bone found in the pectoral arch of some fishes, stegocephalians, and primitive reptiles. In primitive bony fishes, it is a vertically placed structure that supports the scapula. In some fishes, like holostean fishes, the cleithrum is present while the clavicle is lost. The term "cleithrum" was introduced by German biologist Karl Gegenbaur, who proposed it for the bone in fishes previously identified as the clavicle.12
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
