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Overview of the Skull01:08

Overview of the Skull

The cranium (skull) is the skeletal structure of the head that supports the face and protects the brain. It is subdivided into the facial bones and the brain case, or cranial vault. The facial bones underlie the facial structures, form the nasal cavity, enclose the eyeballs, and support the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.
The cranial vault surrounds and protects the brain and houses the middle and inner ear structures. This cavity is bounded superiorly by the rounded top of the skull, which...
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The hyoid bone is a small U-shaped bone located in the upper neck at the level of the inferior mandible, with its tips pointing posteriorly. It does not directly articulate with any other bone in the body. The hyoid acts as the attachment site for the tongue, the larynx, and the pharynx. It is held in position by a series of small muscles attached from above or below. These muscles help to move the hyoid up/down or forward/back in coordination with movements of the tongue, larynx, and pharynx...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

Cranial Bones: Lateral View

The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
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The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
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The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
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The Polynesian chin and mandible.

John Dennison1, David Healey, Peter Herbison

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. john.dennison@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Anthropologischer Anzeiger; Bericht Uber Die Biologisch-Anthropologische Literatur
|November 9, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Mandibular morphology differs between European and Polynesian populations. A combination of features, including chin presence, gonial angle, and ramus shape, is necessary to distinguish between these groups.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Human Osteology

Background:

  • Understanding human population variations in skeletal morphology is crucial for anthropology and forensic science.
  • The mandible (lower jawbone) exhibits distinct features that can reflect population-specific traits.

Observation:

  • A 27,000-year-old Chinese skull and a 160-year-old Polynesian skull shared similar mandibular features: a vertical ramus, curved inferior border, and absence of a chin.
  • In contrast, European mandibles typically display a greater gonial angle, an antegonial notch, and a prominent chin.

Findings:

  • A blind study of 50 mandibles (European and Polynesian, both sexes) revealed that individual features like chin presence, gonial angle, or ramus shape could differentiate sexes.
  • However, distinguishing between European and Polynesian mandibles, and loosely grouping their origins, required the combined analysis of these multiple features.

Implications:

  • The study highlights the complexity of using specific skeletal markers for population identification.
  • Combined analysis of mandibular traits offers a more robust method for differentiating ancient and modern human populations.
  • This research contributes to the understanding of human migratory patterns and population genetics through skeletal analysis.