[Morphology and development of the cranium of Felis silvestris f. catus Linné 1758--IV: Visceral skeleton, membrane bones: summary, conclusions and bibliography].
The present last part of the study on morphology and development of the cranium of Felis silvestris f. catus provides a detailed description and discussion of the development of the visceral skeleton and the membrane bones. Finally, there is given a summary with conclusions of the whole investigation. In Felis 2, the Cartilago Meckeli is still in homocontinuous connection with the Malleus. Probably, only the rostral part of the Cartilago will ossify enchondrally, while the caudal part shows some beginning resorption. In this 95 mm Embryo, the Cartilago Reicherti still remains cartilaginous. A small cartilaginous Spence's cartilage lies in dorsolateral position towards the Chorda tympani. All membrane bones of the adult cranium are present in Felis 1. The following development of the osseous skull towards the stage of Felis 2 is characterized by covering the wide fissures of the side wall and by resorption of certain primordial supporting constructions. The interparietal develops from a paired anlage. In Felis 1 and 2, the cartilago within the pterygoid probably serves as a gliding surface for the M. tensor veli palatini. The dental bone contains some largely extended particles of secondary cartilage.