Cranial ornamentation

Cranial ornamentation consists of ridges, bosses, horns, and other sculpted features that develop on skulls, especially in some extinct vertebrates.

Skull: The bony or cartilaginous structure that encloses and protects the brain and supports the face. Ornaments are sculpted features of this underlying structure.
Ontogeny: The development of an individual organism from its earliest stage to maturity. Many skull ornaments change substantially during an animal's development.
Sexual selection: Evolutionary change driven by differences in success at obtaining mates. Display ornaments may evolve because they affect mate choice or competition.
Ceratopsia: A group of mostly herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by beaked jaws and, often, elaborate skulls. Ceratopsians developed horns and frills among the most recognizable dinosaur ornaments.
Paleohistology: The study of microscopic structure in fossilized tissues, especially bone. Bone microstructure can test how quickly ornaments grew and whether growth changed with age.
Bone remodeling: The lifelong process by which bone tissue is removed and replaced. Remodeling can shape cranial features as an animal grows.
Pachyostosis: An increase in bone thickness and density, often in the skeletons of aquatic animals. Dense, thickened skull bone can produce conspicuous bosses and ridges.
Intraspecific competition: Competition among members of the same species for resources, status, or mates. Some horns and bosses may have served as weapons in contests.
Ceratopsidae: A family of horned dinosaurs that includes Triceratops and centrosaurines. Its members display striking variation in horns, bosses, and frill shapes.
Biomechanics: The study of forces and motion in living systems. Mechanical models assess whether an ornament could withstand proposed uses.

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