[Experimental studies on the development of human skull fractures]

Pressure tests were performed on certain well-defined points in the median-sagittal plane of soft part covered skulls of 40 human corpses. It was found that the elastic behaviour of the skull obeys Hooke's law, thus the modulus of elasticity is the Ist differential quotient in the stress-strain diagram. Beside the vectorial nature of the compression force the point of application is also of decisive importance. The globe-ellipsoid theories do not correspond to the structure of human skulls. Autopsy revealed over 50% more confirmed fractures than the X-ray pictures. This contradiction in the diagnosis of fractures on the human skull can be reduced by series of X-ray pictures. The lines of the fractures run to the most part along the Benninghoff--Goerttler pillars of strength. Additional biostatic parameters (maximum load before breaking, coefficient of elasticity, stress, elongation etc.) were also obtained which permit an insight into the specific mechanic structure of the human skull and its load-bearing ability.