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[[Image:KVagh.jpg|thumb|[[K'Vagh]], a [[Klingon]] ([[2154]])]]
  
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[[Image:Klingonarcher-divergence.jpg|thumb|[[Human]] [[Jonathan Archer]], infected by the
 
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[[Klingon augment virus]] (2154)]]
  
 
The '''cranial ridges''', also referred to as '''exocranial ridges''' or '''cranial plates''' are [[bone|bony]] plates on the surface of the forehead on many [[humanoid]] species. Some species, such as [[Human]]s, [[Vulcan]]s, and the [[ancient humanoid]]s do not possess visible cranial ridges.
  
The '''cranial ridges''', also referred to as '''exocranial ridges''' or '''cranial plates''' are [[bone|bony]] plates on the surface of the forehead on many [[humanoid]] species. Some species, such as [[Human]]s, [[Vulcan]]s, and the [[ancient humanoid]]s do not possess visible cranial ridges.
   
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In [[2154]], the [[Klingon augment virus]], and the subsequent cure, caused many Klingons to lose their cranial ridges and become more like "[[Human]]s." This would be partially cured via [[cranial reconstruction]]. ({{ENT|Divergence}})
  
In [[2154]], the [[Klingon augment virus]], and the subsequent cure, caused many Klingons to lose their cranial ridges and become more like "[[Human]]s." This would be partially cured via [[cranial reconstruction]]. ({{ENT|Divergence}})
   
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''During the [[23rd century]] of the [[alternate reality]], helmets issued to the [[Klingon Defense Force]] gave all warriors the appearance of cranial ridges.'' ({{film|12}})
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As a child, [[B'Elanna Torres]] was often mocked and joked at because of her Klingon-inherited cranial ridges. She was referred to by [[Daniel Byrd]] as "Miss Turtlehead." ({{VOY|Juggernaut}})
  
   
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As a child, [[B'Elanna Torres]] was often mocked and joked at because of her Klingon-inherited cranial ridges. She was referred to by [[Daniel Byrd]] as "Miss Turtlehead." ({{VOY|Juggernaut}}) Partly because of this bullying, after she discovered she was [[Pregnancy|pregnant]], Torres attempted to [[DNA resequencing|resequence the DNA]] of her fetus in order to eliminate the [[Gene|genes]] that would manifest cranial ridges. However, she was convinced by her [[husband]], [[Tom Paris]], to abandon this effort. ({{VOY|Lineage}})
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The [[Cytherian]] encountered by the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise'']] in [[2367]] was fascinated by [[Worf]]'s prominent cranial plate, among other things. ({{TNG|The Nth Degree}})
  
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  ⚫
The [[Cytherian]] encountered by the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} in [[2367]] was fascinated by [[Worf]]'s prominent cranial plate, among other things. ({{TNG|The Nth Degree}})
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In [[2370]] of an [[alternate timeline]], [[Alexander Rozhenko]] made a plaster cast of his forehead cranial ridges as a [[birthday]] gift to his father, [[Worf]], who received it with pride. ({{TNG|Parallels}})
   
 
When he de-evolved due to [[Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome]], [[Worf]]'s cranial plates thickened by 20%. ({{TNG|Genesis}})
  
When he de-evolved due to [[Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome]], [[Worf]]'s cranial plates thickened by 20%. ({{TNG|Genesis}})
   
  +
[[Death]] is immediate for a Klingon if the cranial exoskeleton is shattered at the [[tricipital lobe]]. ({{TNG|Descent}})
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[[Ktarian]]s have sharp exocranial ridges, which are also present in Ktarian-[[human]] hybrids. If the mother is human, these ridges can cause a rare complication where they become lodged in the [[uterus|uterine]] wall, as was the case with [[Naomi Wildman]]'s birth in [[2372]]. ({{VOY|Deadlock}})
  
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  ⚫
[[Ktarian]]s have sharp exocranial ridges, which are also present in Ktarian-[[Human]] hybrids. If the mother is human, these ridges can cause a rare complication where they become lodged in the [[uterus|uterine]] wall, as was the case with [[Naomi Wildman]]'s birth in [[2372]]. ({{VOY|Deadlock}})
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<gallery>
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File:KVagh.jpg|The cranial exoskeleton of a [[Klingon]].
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File:Jonathan Archer with Klingon ridges.jpg|A [[Human]] infected by the [[Klingon augment virus]].
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File:Worf-de-evolved.jpg|A proto-Klingon with a thickened cranial plate.
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File:Naomi2394.jpg|A [[Ktarian]]-human [[hybrid]] with exocranial ridges.
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</gallery>
   
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==Species with cranial ridges==
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== Species with cranial ridges ==
 
<div class="appear">
  
<div class="appear">
 
* ''Only [[Klingon]]s have been stated to have "cranial ridges." The following species have been observed to have ridge-like structures, indicating bone, underneath their foreheads.''
  
* ''Only [[Klingon]]s have been stated to have "cranial ridges." The following species have been observed to have ridge-like structures, indicating bone, underneath their foreheads.''
 
** [[Abaddon's species]]
  
** [[Abaddon's species]]
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** [[Abdon's species]]
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** [[Abdon|Abdon's species]]
 
** [[Akritirian]]
  
** [[Akritirian]]
 
** [[Algolian]]
  
** [[Algolian]]
 
** [[Allos' species]]
  
** [[Allos' species]]
  +
** [[Andoran]]
 
** [[Andorian]]
  
** [[Andorian]]
 
** [[Ankari]]
  
** [[Ankari]]
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** [[El-Adrel IV lifeform]]
  
** [[El-Adrel IV lifeform]]
 
** [[Elaysian]]
  
** [[Elaysian]]
−
** [[Emi's species]]
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** [[Emi|Emi's species]]
 
** [[Entharan]]
  
** [[Entharan]]
 
** [[Eska]]
  
** [[Eska]]
 
** [[Etanian]]
  
** [[Etanian]]
−
** [[Fallit Kot's species]]
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** [[Fallit Kot|Fallit Kot's species]]
 
** [[Fantome's species]]
  
** [[Fantome's species]]
 
** [[Farian]]
  
** [[Farian]]
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** [[Iyaaran]]
  
** [[Iyaaran]]
 
** [[J'naii]]
  
** [[J'naii]]
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** [[Jaheel's species]]
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** [[Jarlath's species]]
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** [[Jarleth's species]]
  
 
** [[Jem'Hadar]]
  
** [[Jem'Hadar]]
 
** [[Kadi]]
  
** [[Kadi]]
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** [[Kolaati]]
  
** [[Kolaati]]
 
** [[Kolaran]]
  
** [[Kolaran]]
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** [[Kolos' species]]
  
 
** [[Kreetassan]]
  
** [[Kreetassan]]
 
** [[Kressari]]
  
** [[Kressari]]
 
** [[Krit's species]]
  
** [[Krit's species]]
 
** [[Ktarian]]
  
** [[Ktarian]]
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** [[Lansor's species]]
  
 
** [[Larell's species]]
  
** [[Larell's species]]
 
** [[Ledosian]]
  
** [[Ledosian]]
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** [[Selay]]
  
** [[Selay]]
 
** [[Sky Spirit]]
  
** [[Sky Spirit]]
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** [[Solanagen-based lifeform]]
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** [[Solanogen-based lifeform]]
 
** [[Solari]]
  
** [[Solari]]
 
** [[Species 571]]
  
** [[Species 571]]
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</div>
  
</div>
   
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==Background==
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== Background ==
  ⚫
During ''[[Star Trek]]'' productions, some aliens were introduced without ridges, but ridges were added in later productions. Some aliens this happened to include:
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[[Image:Worf-de-evolved.jpg|thumb|A proto-Klingon with a thickened cranial plate]]
  
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* [[Romulan]]s ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}} vs. {{TNG|The Neutral Zone}})
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[[Image:Naomi2394.jpg|thumb|Naomi Wildman, a Ktarian-human hybrid with exocranial ridges]]
  
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* [[Klingon]]s ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}} vs. {{film|1}})
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''[[Star Trek]]'' is often criticized for simply adding ridges to make various species seem more alien. In addition, some aliens were introduced without ridges, but ridges would be added in later productions. This is true for:
  
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* Romulans ({{TOS|Balance of Terror}} vs. {{TNG|The Neutral Zone}})
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* [[Andorian]]s ({{TOS|Journey to Babel}} vs. {{ENT|The Andorian Incident}})
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* Klingons ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}} vs. {{film|1}})
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* [[Tiburonian]]s ({{TOS|The Way to Eden}} vs. {{DS9|The Ship}})
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* Andorians ({{TOS|Journey to Babel}} vs. {{ENT|The Andorian Incident}})
  
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* Tiburonians ({{TOS|The Way to Eden}} vs. {{DS9|The Ship}})
  
−  
 
[[Category:Anatomy]]
  
[[Category:Anatomy]]

Revision as of 13:45, 11 March 2015

The cranial ridges, also referred to as exocranial ridges or cranial plates are bony plates on the surface of the forehead on many humanoid species. Some species, such as Humans, Vulcans, and the ancient humanoids do not possess visible cranial ridges.

Klingon-Human hybrids generally inherit cranial ridges from their Klingon parent, although they are less pronounced. (VOY: "Nothing Human")

In 2154, the Klingon augment virus, and the subsequent cure, caused many Klingons to lose their cranial ridges and become more like "Humans." This would be partially cured via cranial reconstruction. (ENT: "Divergence")

During the 23rd century of the alternate reality, helmets issued to the Klingon Defense Force gave all warriors the appearance of cranial ridges. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

As a child, B'Elanna Torres was often mocked and joked at because of her Klingon-inherited cranial ridges. She was referred to by Daniel Byrd as "Miss Turtlehead." (VOY: "Juggernaut") Partly because of this bullying, after she discovered she was pregnant, Torres attempted to resequence the DNA of her fetus in order to eliminate the genes that would manifest cranial ridges. However, she was convinced by her husband, Tom Paris, to abandon this effort. (VOY: "Lineage")

The Cytherian encountered by the USS Enterprise-D in 2367 was fascinated by Worf's prominent cranial plate, among other things. (TNG: "The Nth Degree")

In 2370 of an alternate timeline, Alexander Rozhenko made a plaster cast of his forehead cranial ridges as a birthday gift to his father, Worf, who received it with pride. (TNG: "Parallels")

When he de-evolved due to Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome, Worf's cranial plates thickened by 20%. (TNG: "Genesis")

Death is immediate for a Klingon if the cranial exoskeleton is shattered at the tricipital lobe. (TNG: "Descent")

Ktarians have sharp exocranial ridges, which are also present in Ktarian-Human hybrids. If the mother is human, these ridges can cause a rare complication where they become lodged in the uterine wall, as was the case with Naomi Wildman's birth in 2372. (VOY: "Deadlock")

Species with cranial ridges

Background

During Star Trek productions, some aliens were introduced without ridges, but ridges were added in later productions. Some aliens this happened to include:

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