Cusps in Humans - Canine teeth have a single cusp - Premolars have two cusps - Molars usually have four or five cusps - Some populations have a fifth cusp on the maxillary molars, known as the Cusp of Carabelli - Uto-Aztecan upper premolar is a bulge on the buccal cusp found in Native American Indians

Cusps on the Molars of Therian Mammals - Therian mammals have four main cusps on their upper molars - The cusps are involved in grinding and tearing of food - Different species of hominids have variations in enamel thickness, affecting cusp strength - Cusps have evolved independently in various mammal groups during the Cenozoic period

Hypocone - Hypocone is located on the distal lingual side of the tooth - It fits into the grooves of the lower dentition - Hypocone aids in grinding and tearing of food during occlusion or mastication - Enamel thickness varies among hominid species, influencing hypocone strength - Hypocone has evolved multiple times in different mammal groups during the Cenozoic period

Metacone - Metacone is a cusp on the buccal distal area of the upper dentition in hominids - The crests between cusps are adapted for slicing food during occlusion or mastication - Metacone is involved in the chewing process - Metacone aids in the grinding and tearing of food - Metacone is found in the molars of hominids

Paracone - Paracone is the principal anterior and outside cusp of a primitive upper molar - It is located at the anterior of the three cusps - Paracone is present in higher forms of mammals - Paracone is involved in the chewing process - Paracone aids in the grinding and tearing of food