Skeleton Sperm whale

the ribs bound spine flexible cartilage, allows ribcage collapse rather snap under high pressure. while sperm whales adapted diving, repeated dives great depths have long-term effects. bones show same pitting signals decompression sickness in humans. older skeletons showed extensive pitting, whereas calves showed no damage. damage may indicate sperm whales susceptible decompression sickness, , sudden surfacing lethal them.

like cetaceans, spine of sperm whale has reduced zygapophysial joints, of remnants modified , positioned higher on vertebral dorsal spinous process, hugging laterally, prevent extensive lateral bending , facilitate more dorso-ventral bending. these evolutionary modifications make spine more flexible weaker spines of terrestrial vertebrates.

as other toothed whales, skull of sperm whale asymmetrical aid echolocation. sound waves strike whale different directions not channeled in same way. within basin of cranium, openings of bony narial tubes (from nasal passages spring) skewed towards left side of skull.