Sauropterygia cf. Nothosaurus
Middle Triassic, Lower Gogolin Beds, Upper Silesia, Poland
An example of a Sauropterygian vertebra centrum (likely Nothosaurus sp.). This is a well-preserved, large specimen (for this region). The first photo shows the vertebra in lateral view. A nutrient foramen (vascular opening) through which blood vessels entered the bone is visible upon closer inspection.
The second photo shows the articular surfaces for the neural arch – a dorsal view of the floor of the neural canal through which the spinal cord ran.
The specimen was prepared using a mixed method: mechanical and mild acetic acid. This allows for a detailed examination of the articular surface.
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