Dictionary of Ichthyology  

placoid scale = a type of scale, typically thorn-shaped, found on the skin of Elasmobranchii and claspers of Holocephali. Consists of a spine and a basal plate which is usually rhomboidal. It contains a pulp cavity and is composed of an inner layer of dermal bone, a middle layer of dentine and is covered by enamel-like vitrodentine. Also and less preferably called denticle, dermal denticle or odontoid.

View in section of a scale of Scyllium (= Scyliorhinus) canicula from Lydekker et al. "Reptiles, Amphibia, Fishes and Lower Chordata", 1912 (b = bony base, d = dentine, en = enamel, ep = epidermis). Photograph by Brian W. Coad.

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