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Exploring metameric variation in human molars: a morphological study using morphometric mapping.

Wataru Morita^1,2, Naoki Morimoto³, Hayato Ohshima²

¹Department of Oral Functional Anatomy, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Journal of Anatomy

|April 22, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Human molars show metameric variation, with the first molar being distinct. New methods reveal this variation aligns with developmental models, explaining tooth evolution.

Keywords:

enamel-dentine junction geometric morphometrics inhibitory cascade model odontometry patterning cascade model

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Area of Science:

Anthropology
Developmental Biology
Morphology

Background:

Human molars display metameric variation, a difference in serially repeated morphology.
Existing theories lack sufficient actualistic data due to methodological constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce novel methods for analyzing detailed tooth crown morphologies.
To investigate the adaptability of odontogenetic models to human maxillary molars.

Main Methods:

Applied morphometric mapping to the enamel-dentine junction of human maxillary molars.
Utilized allometric vector analysis to study size-related shape variation.

Main Results:

The upper first molar is phenotypically distinct, characterized by four cusps and high occlusal relief.
The upper third molar exhibits smoother relief, greater variation, and distinct morphospace distribution.
Upper second molars are intermediate; allometry explains convergence towards the first molar shape with increasing size.

Conclusions:

Metameric variation in human molars is consistent with inhibitory and patterning cascade models.
Morphometric mapping is a valuable tool for understanding tooth evolution by linking morphology and development.