dermal skeleton Skeletal subdivision that undergoes direct development and includes elements that either develop in association with the basement membrane of the ectoderm or are homologous with such elements; includes dermatocranium, components of the appendicular skeleton, teeth and tooth-like elements of the oropharynx, and integumentary elements. VSAO:0000035 dermal skeletal system dermoskeleton desmoskeleton exoskeleton vertebrate_skeletal_anatomy skeletal subdivision