Epipteric Bones in the Pterion in Dry Human Crania from a Region of Northeastern Brazil: Morphological and Morphometric Study

Abstract

Introduction: Epipteric bones found in the pterion, the sutural confluence point on the lateral face of the cranium between the frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid bones, have a pattern of formation that varies according to the population. The anatomic location of the pterion is important in surgical interventions following surgical approaches to the anterior and middle cranial fossae. Aim: To study the morphology and morphometry of the epipteric bones. Materials and Methods: Total 256 crania were analyzed and epipteric bones were found in 64. Of these crania, 33 were male and 31 female. After careful analysis with the naked eye, seeking to identify the presence of epipteric bones, they were classified according to their shape. Their height and width were obtained by means of digital calipers. Results: Among the 64 crania in which epipteric bones were found, 51.56% were male and 48.44% female. The frequency of epipteric bones in all the cases was 19.14%. Morphologically, the irregular type occurred most frequently, followed by the triangular type. The length and height were also greater in the irregular and triangular types. Conclusion: Knowledge of the morphological and morphometric variations of the epipteric bones is important in neurosurgery, especially in relation to surgical accesses that use the pterion; and also for forensic anthropologists, in evaluating incomplete archeological remains.

Keywords

• anatomy
• forensic anthropologists
• skull
• surgical interventions