Fig. 6

Pattern of inferred vascular networks in a plate from NSM-PV 20380, a young adult individual of Stegosaurus armatus. The digital images were created by microfocus CT scanning, with the pipe-like vascular canals, and spaces within cancellous bone, indicated in red. The sequence of images begins near the sagittal interior, and successive images are progressively closer to the plate surface, ending with a view of the surface itself. Note similarity of the basal vestibular system to that of YPM 57716 (Figs. 3–5); nf, large channels interpreted as nutrient foramina. The arrangement of isolated red spaces in the cancellous bone with respect to the pipes suggests that at least some of the isolated red spaces represent sections through small tributary blood vessels. The boxed detail enlarges a portion of the plate surface, showing that some of the putative internal vascular canals connect with vascular grooves and foramina on the plate surface. Such connections between interior and surface features of the inferred vascular system occur on both sides of this plate. Scale bars 100 mm for the CT sections, and 10 mm for the inset showing vascular grooves on the plate surface (box)