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Updated: Dec 6, 2025
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Published on: May 19, 2023
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Morphometric characteristics of anencephalic skulls - A comparative study.
Julia Schimp1, Christian Dornia2, Jochen Fanghänel1
1University Medical Hospital Regensburg, Department of Orthodontics, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Summary
Anencephaly, a severe neural tube defect, results in a missing skullcap and smaller cranial base dimensions. This study details skeletal differences in anencephalic skulls compared to normal ones.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cranioskeletal Morphology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Anencephaly is a severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of a significant portion of the brain and skull.
- Skull development involves both desmal (intramembranous) and chondral (endochondral) ossification, influenced by underlying soft tissues and genetic factors.
- Previous research has not sufficiently detailed the morphometric characteristics of anencephalic skulls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively assess macroscopic and cephalometric CT data of anencephalic and normal neonatal skulls.
- To highlight skeletal morphological differences between anencephalic and normal skulls.
- To provide data for improved diagnosis and skeletal classification of anencephaly.
Main Methods:
- Macroscopic morphological-anatomical assessment of 11 macerated anencephalic and 4 normal neonatal skulls.
- Cephalometric computed tomography (CT) analysis of skull structures and dimensions.
- Comparative analysis of skeletal morphology and morphometric parameters.
Main Results:
- Anencephalic skulls exhibit a missing skullcap and significantly reduced size of remaining skull bones.
- Key parameters such as skull base dimensions, transverse orbital diameter, and maxillary width are significantly smaller in anencephalic skulls.
- The viscerocranium morphology in anencephalic skulls is comparable to that of normal neonatal skulls.
Conclusions:
- Anencephaly profoundly impacts cranial bone development, particularly the skullcap and base.
- The findings offer valuable insights for diagnosing and classifying anencephaly based on skeletal morphology.
- This research aids in identifying altered skeletal remains in historical and forensic contexts.
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