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Ontogenetic patterns of morphological variation in the ectocranial human vault
Marisol Anzelmo1, Jimena Barbeito-Andrés, Fernando Ventrice
1División Antropología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n. 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina. manzelmo@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|May 16, 2013
Summary
Human skull development shows coordinated growth in sagittal and lateral vault regions, reaching adult shape by adolescence. Brain growth appears to integrate these skull parts during development.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Developmental Biology
- Paleontology
Background:
- The skull is a modular structure, with different parts developing under distinct influences.
- Previous research suggests the basicranium has sagittal and lateral modularity, influenced by brain and masticatory structures.
- The human cranial vault is often viewed as integrated, primarily driven by brain expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate developmental shape variations in the sagittal and lateral ectocranial vault in humans.
- To determine if these two regions of the cranial vault are ontogenetically dissociated.
- To assess the age at which adult shape configuration is achieved for these regions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 135 cranial computed tomography scans from individuals aged 0 to 31.
- Collected landmarks and semilandmarks on sagittal and lateral ectocranial vault regions.
- Applied geometric morphometric techniques and Goodall's F-test for shape analysis and age assessment.
Main Results:
- Both sagittal and lateral ectocranial vault structures attain their adult shape by early adolescence.
- Coordinated shape modifications were observed in both regions, suggesting shared developmental factors.
- Principal component analysis revealed integrated shape variation throughout human ontogeny.
Conclusions:
- The influence of masticatory muscles on lateral skull traits may be less significant than previously thought.
- The brain likely plays a crucial role in integrating both sagittal and lateral parts of the cranial vault during human development.
- Sagittal and lateral ectocranial vault regions are developmentally integrated rather than dissociated.
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