In addition to its small size and short snout, "Trilophosuchus" has several unique characteristics, or autapomorphies, that distinguish it from other crocodylians. A posterior dentary tooth of the lower jaw passes between the sixth and seventh maxillary teeth of the upper jaw, leaving a deep groove in the maxilla.The palatal fenestrae, two openings in the palate, reach up to the level of the sixth maxillary teeth. The palatine bone has an anterior process, or projection, that reaches to the level of the fourth maxillary teeth. Behind the palatine and the palatal fenestra, there are large pterygoids and ectopterygoids that project posteriorly and extend below the skull. The jugal bones, which line the side of the skull below the eyes, project laterally to form prominent ridges. The supratemporal fenestrae, two holes on the skull table, are long and narrow. There are also three ridges running longitudinally on the skull table, giving the genus its name, which means "triple-crested crocodile" in Greek.