Carnassial Tooth

Carnassial Tooth, the translation of a French term (dent carnassiere) used by Cuvier to denote the last tooth but one in the upper jaw and the last tooth in the lower jaw in the typical Carnivora (q.v.). These teeth have sharp cutting edges, admirably adapted for dividing flesh, and generally a tuberculated process. They are much modified in different genera. Owen called them sectorial or scissor-teeth, for they act like the blades of a pair of scissors.