Organisms

Xenarthra

A superorder of New World mammals characterized by the absence of incisors and canines from among their teeth, and comprising the ARMADILLOS and the SLOTHS. The superorder is distinguished from all others by what are known as xenarthrous vertebrae (xenos, strange; arthron, joint): there are secondary, and sometimes even more, articulations between the vertebrae of the lumbar series. The superorder in part was formerly called Edentata. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed; Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, vol. I, p515)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A superorder of New World mammals characterized by the absence of incisors and canines from among their teeth, and comprising the ARMADILLOS and the SLOTHS. The superorder is distinguished from all others by what are known as xenarthrous vertebrae (xenos, strange; arthron, joint): there are secondary, and sometimes even more, articulations between the vertebrae of the lumbar series. The superorder in part was formerly called Edentata. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed; Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, vol. I, p515)

MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

2 entry terms
  • Cingulata
  • Edentata

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, classification, embryology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, psychology, surgery, urine, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2022(1963)

MeSH Hierarchy

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AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Xenarthra. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004490. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004490
  2. Xenarthra. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenarthra
  3. Xenarthra. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q173612