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Postnatal interaction of size and shape in the human endocranium and brain structures
Kuranosuke Takagi1, Osamu Kondo1
1Department of Biological Sciences (Anthropology), Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Journal of Anatomy
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Human brain growth, particularly the infratentorial region
Area of Science:
- Human evolutionary biology
- Developmental neuroscience
- Paleoanthropology
Background:
- Human brain development is unique and linked to cognitive abilities.
- Endocranial globularization describes shape changes in the human skull after birth.
- The interaction between brain structures and the neurocranium during early development is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the shape and size changes in the human brain and endocranium during postnatal development.
- To analyze spatial constraints and interactions among brain subdivisions influencing endocranial morphology.
- To understand the evolutionary implications of early human brain development.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to study human brain and endocranial development.
- Analysis of shape and size changes in the brain and surrounding neurocranium.
- Investigation of spatial constraints and interactions between brain subdivisions.
Main Results:
- Relative size changes of supratentorial, infratentorial regions, and cranial base significantly constrain brain and endocranial shape.
- Disproportionate growth of the infratentorial region (cerebellum and brainstem) relative to the cranial base impacts spatial packing.
- This leads to inferoposterior expansion of the posterior cranial fossa and reorientation of the petrous pyramid.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal growth dynamics of the infratentorial region relative to the cranial base are characteristic of human development.
- These findings provide insights into the evolutionary trajectory of human cognitive abilities.
- Comparison with non-human primates and fossil data can further elucidate human evolution.
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