Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Many covalent molecules have central atoms that do not have eight electrons in their Lewis structures. These molecules fall into three categories:

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...

Arteries of the Head and Neck

Arteries of the Head and Neck

The human body's intricate network of arteries ensures that every organ system receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients for optimal function. The arterial network in the head and neck region is particularly complex, providing vital blood flow to the brain, eyes, and other critical structures. Prominent arteries in this region include the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries.
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...

Veins of Head and Neck

Veins of Head and Neck

The blood drainage from the head and neck is primarily managed by three pairs of veins: the external jugular, internal jugular, and vertebral veins. The external jugular veins drain superficial scalp and face structures, passing over the sternocleidomastoid muscles to empty into the subclavian veins.
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...

Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods

Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods

As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry heat, boiling water, and radiation.
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

200 years of dinosaur discoveries -a visual portrayal of their geographic and historical origins.

PeerJ·2026

Same author

ENHYDROSS: A New Mechanistic Model Supports the Trans-Oceanic Dispersal Capability of Terrestrial Vertebrates.

Ecology and evolution·2026

Same author

Inter- and Intraspecific Venom Variation in the Reclusive Rear-Fanged Black-Striped Snakes (<i>Coniophanes</i>).

Toxins·2026

Same author

Differential performance of aqueous- and ethylic-Lugol's iodine stain to visualize anatomy in μCT-scanned vertebrates.

Journal of anatomy·2024

Same author

Lost, hidden, broken, cut-estimating and interpreting the shapes and masses of damaged assemblages of plesiosaur gastroliths.

PeerJ·2024

Same author

Using your head - cranial steering in pterosaurs.

Die Naturwissenschaften·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Published on: September 29, 2018

A method for deducing neck mobility in plesiosaurs, using the exceptionally preserved

Ramon S Nagesan¹, Donald M Henderson², Jason S Anderson³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4.

Royal Society Open Science

|September 19, 2018

Summary

The study used 3D models to analyze the neck movement of the plesiosaur Nichollssaura borealis. Results suggest this aquatic reptile preferred lateral neck motions, possibly for catching prey.

Keywords:

Plesiosauria neck mobility palaeoecology palaeontology range of motion three-dimensional modelling

More Related Videos

A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging

A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging

Published on: February 15, 2021

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture

Published on: March 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Porcine As a Training Module for Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Published on: September 29, 2018

A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging

A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging

Published on: February 15, 2021

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture

Orthopedic Robot-Assisted Femoral Neck System in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture

Published on: March 3, 2023

Area of Science:

Paleontology
Functional Morphology
Biomechanics

Background:

Plesiosaurs were long-necked marine reptiles of the Mesozoic Era.
The function of their elongated necks remains a subject of scientific debate.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the range of motion (ROM) of the neck in the plesiosaur Nichollssaura borealis.
To investigate the functional morphology of plesiosaur necks using advanced modeling techniques.

Main Methods:

Computed tomography (CT) and 3D modeling were employed to reconstruct the Nichollssaura borealis neck.
Intervertebral mobility was quantified by manipulating 3D models in lateral and dorsoventral directions.
Two trials assessed mean intervertebral ROM and ROM with reduced intervertebral spaces.

Main Results:

The study quantified the range of motion along the cervical vertebral column of Nichollssaura borealis.
Results indicate a potential preference for lateral neck movements in this species.
This lateral mobility may have been crucial for prey capture strategies.

Conclusions:

Three-dimensional modeling is an effective method for analyzing the functional morphology of extinct animals lacking modern analogues.
The findings provide insights into the biomechanics and ecological behavior of plesiosaurs.
Nichollssaura borealis likely utilized its neck flexibility for predation in its aquatic environment.