[Variation of sphenoidal angle of human skull in the course of aging]

The degree of the cranial base flexion is a major parameter in the study of the evolution of verbal communication in mankind. The variability of this area among modern humans has received little attention. In the present study, a sample of 330 modern human skulls have been used to characterize the changes in the angle of the cranial base flexion with age, and its possible relationships with gender and ethnic origin. Statistical analysis of the results show significant changes with age. Two conclusions emerged: i) the debate regarding Neanderthal speech should also consider the effect of age on the cranial base; and ii) the sphenoidal angle can be used as an ageing criterion in forensic and anthropological studies.