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premolar
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Detailed anatomical diagram of an open human mouth showing teeth, gums, and the roof of the mouth, with labels identifying features such as incisors, canines, premolars, molars, hard and soft palate, uvula, and various oral structures.
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premolar

teeth
Also known as: bicuspid
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Detailed anatomical diagram of an open human mouth showing teeth, gums, and the roof of the mouth, with labels identifying features such as incisors, canines, premolars, molars, hard and soft palate, uvula, and various oral structures.
Human mouth Anterior view of the oral cavity.

Premolars are teeth located between the canines and molars in the mouth. In primates, including humans, there are typically two premolars on each side of each jaw. These teeth are adapted for both cutting and grinding food, possessing two cusps each, which is why they are also known as bicuspid teeth.12

The evolution of cheek teeth, including premolars, in primates has shown a trend towards an increased number of cusps and a reduction in the overall number of teeth. While primitive primates and some New World monkeys retain three premolars, apes and Old World monkeys have only two. In humans, the first and second premolars are similar in shape and have two cusps.1

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. canine tooth
  2. primate - Teeth
  3. human digestive system - The teeth
  4. tooth

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