Morphological and Morphometric Study of Pterion in Adult Dry Human Skulls

Morphological and Morphometric Study of Pterion

Abstract

Introduction: Pterion is significant bony landmark because it commonly lies near the anterior branch of middle meningeal artery as well as Brocas Area. The aim is to study the types of pterion and measure the distance from various bony landmarks on skull to the midpoint of pterion. Subjects and Methods: This study was performed on 70 adult dry human skulls of unknown age and sex. Types and location of pterion was observed bilaterally. Measurements were taken in millimeter using digital Vernier caliper from midpoint of pterion to i) fronto-zygomatic suture ii) middle of zygomatic arch iii) tip of mastoid process iv) glabella v) antero-superior margin of external acoustic meatus vi) Asterion. Results: We observed five types of pterion: spheno-parietal, fronto-temporal, stellate, epipteric and atypical. Among the skulls studied the most common type was sphenoparietal bilaterally. The mean of distances from midpoint of pterion to fronto-zygomatic suture was, 31.68   5.58 mm and 31.18 5.82 mm; to the middle of zygomatic arch was 38.87 3.63 mm and 37.84  3.99 mm; to asterion was 83.55  7.22 mm and 85.53  6.88 mm; to external acoustic meatus it was 51.70 3.20 mm and 51.37 3.39mm; to glabella it was 77.24 6.93 mm and 76.44 6.83 mm; to tip of mastoid process it was 80.77 6.10mm on the right side and 79.59 5.70 mm on the left side. Conclusion: Pterion is the most commonly used surface landmark. Findings of present study regarding classification of pterion will be helpful for neurosurgeons, radiologists, anthropologists and forensic pathologists.