What is the function of the vomerine teeth?

The vomerine teeth are specialized structures found in frogs that help them grip prey. They are not involved in chewing or killing and only serve to restrain moving prey until the creature can be swallowed.

Unlike humans and many other animals, frogs have teeth both along the perimeter of the upper jaw and on the roof of the mouth. The roof teeth are called vomerine teeth because they are attached to a plate of bone called the vomer. These vomerine teeth are usually covered by soft tissue inside the frog's mouth. When a frog catches prey, it presses its tongue up against the roof of its mouth. This engages the vomerine teeth and keeps the prey from slipping out or struggling away.