Differences in mammalian and reptilian skull morphology

Skull morphology differs between mammal and reptile skulls. Mammal skulls are synapsid: they have a single, large opening called a temporal fenestra behind each eye that allows for more attachment of jaw muscles. This muscle attachment gives mammals a larger range of motion in their jaws, while also allowing them to have stronger bites. Reptiles such as alligators are diapsid which means they have not one, but two temporal fenestrae on each side of their heads, while other reptiles—including turtles— do not have any of these openings, and are thus referred to as anapsid. Another difference between mammal and reptile skulls is the mammalian middle ear is made up of three bones, the malleus, the incus, and the stapes, whereas the reptilian middle ear is made up of only the stapes. The malleus and incus however are the result of the migration of the articulate and quadrate bones found in the reptilian mandible and skull respectively.