Related Experiment Videos
The dichotomous pattern of craniofacial expansion during aging
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|July 1, 1977
Summary
Adult craniofacial skeleton growth continues throughout life, with specific areas like the sella turcica and frontal sinus remodeling twice as fast as skull diameters. This dual pattern is consistent in both males and females across multiple decades.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Anthropology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Craniofacial skeleton undergoes continuous expansion throughout adult life.
- Previous research indicates non-uniform patterns of this ongoing growth.
- Understanding adult craniofacial changes is crucial for various medical and anthropological fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the remodeling rates of specific craniofacial structures in adults.
- To compare the growth rates of different craniofacial components.
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in craniofacial dimensions from the third to the eighth decades of life.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design tracking individuals over several decades.
- Measurement of craniofacial dimensions and remodeling rates.
- Analysis of growth patterns in both male and female subjects.
Main Results:
- Sella turcica, frontal sinus, and skull tables remodel at a rate approximately double that of anterior and posterior skull diameters.
- This dual enlargement pattern was observed consistently in both sexes.
- The observed remodeling rates persisted longitudinally from the 30s through the 80s of life.
Conclusions:
- The craniofacial skeleton exhibits distinct, non-uniform remodeling rates in adulthood.
- Specific anatomical landmarks remodel at a significantly higher rate than overall skull dimensions.
- While the precise mechanisms linking different skeletal components remain unclear, the variability within the craniofacial system is now well-documented.