cosmocreator
07-01-2004, 04:44 AM
Physical-Anthropological Terms
A
ALVEON
See prosthion.
ANTERIOR (ventral)
The front side of the body.
ANTERIOR HEAD HEIGHT (v-n)
Measured in the midline using a double sliding caliper and a level.
ANTHROPOMETRY
The measurement of the bodily characters of human beings.
AURICULAR
Pertaining to the ear or ear hole.
AURICULAR HEAD HEIGHT (v-po)
Measured on the right and left sides of the head using a double sliding caliper and a level.
B
BASION
An anatomical point on the midpoint of the posterior border of the foramen magnum.
BASION-BREGMA HEIGHT
The height of the cranial vault from basion to bregma.
BIGONIAL DIAMETER
The maximum distance between the external gonial angles of the mandible, taken both on the dry mandible and on the living.
BIOCULAR WIDTH (ex-ex)
Measured by sliding caliper: covering tips of caliper as in en-en, place fixed tip of caliper above subject's right exocanthion, slide movable tip to position above subject's left exocanthion; use fingers to steady the instrument above the subject's face.
BIOMETRIC
Pertaining to the accurate measurement of living beings.
BIZYGOMATIC DIAMETER
See maximum facial breadth.
BRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 81.0 to 85.4; round- or short-headed.
BREADTH-HEIGHT INDEX
(head height * 100) / head breadth
On the living the height measurement is the auricular height; on the skull the basion-bregma height is usually employed.
C
CALVARIUM
The brain case.
CEPHALIC INDEX (C.I.)
(head breadth * 100) / head length
The most commonly used index of the human body in racial studies.
CEPHALIC MODULE
(head length + head breadth + auricular height) / 3
The average of the three principal diameters of the cranial vault on the living; thus a measure of absolute head size.
CHAMAECONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 82.9 and under; low-orbitted.
CHAMAERRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 51.0 and over on the skull; relatively wide-nosed.
CORONAL PLANE (frontal plane)
Divides the body into front and rear sections.
CRANIAL (superior)
Above or near the head.
CRANIAL BASE WIDTH (t-t)
Measured by sliding caliper: the tragi are soft tissue landmarks; tips of caliper should gently touch the superior margins of tragi.
CRANIAL INDEX
(cranial lenght * 100) / cranial breadth
CRANIUM
The face and the calvarium.
D
DISTAL
The end farthest from the trunk or head.
DOLICHOCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 75.9 and under; long- or narrow-headed, or both.
DOLICHOCHRANIAL
Possessing a cranial index of 74.9 and under; long- or narrow-skulled, or both.
DORSAL (posterior)
The back side of the body.
E
ENDOCANTHION (en)
The inner corner of the eye fissure where the eyelids meet.
EPICANTHIC FOLD (epicanthus; mongolid fold)
Eyefold common among the Mongolid races, often creating a false impression of slanted eyes; a) illustration of epicanthic fold, b) Japanese woman with epicanthus:
ETHMOID BONE
Seivelike spongy bone located in the anterior part of the floor of the cranium between the orbits; the ethmoid is the principal supporting structure of the nasal cavity.
EURYENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 49.9 and under on the skull; short or broad upper-faced, or both.
EURION (eu)
The most lateral point on the head (identified in opposition).
EURYPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 83.9 and under; short- or broad-faced, or both.
EXOCANTHION (ex)
The outer corner of the eye fissure where the eyelids meet.
EYE-EAR PLANE
A conventional or standard level at which the skull is placed for craniometric study, with the lower border of the left orbit on the same horizontal plane as the upper borders of the two ear holes.
F
FACIAL INDEX (F.I.)
(total face height * 100) / bizygomatic
FORAMEN MAGNUM
The main opening at the base of the skull through which the brain is connected to the major nerves of the body.
FRONTAL BONE
Forms the forehead, the roofs of the orbits, and most of the anterior part of the cranial floor.
FRONTAL BOSSES
Paired tuberosities or eminences on the forehead.
FRONTAL PLANE (coronal plane)
Divides the body into front and rear sections.
FRONTOTEMPORALE (ft)
The most medial point on the temporal crest, identified by palpation.
FRONTOZYGOMATICUS (fz)
The most lateral point on the frontozygomatic suture.
FRONTOZYGOMATICUS-GLABELLA-FRONTOZYGOMATICUS (fz-g-fz)
Measured on the surface above the orbits using a measuring tape: place the tape at the origin of the right frontozygomaticus, guiding the tape over glabella to the left frontozygomaticus.
G
GLABELLA (g)
The most prominent point in the median sagittal plane between the supraorbital ridges.
GLABELLO-OCCIPITAL LENGTH
See maximum cranial lentgh.
GNATHION (menton) (gn)
The lowest central point of the symphysis of the mandible, beneath the bony chin.
GONIAL ANGLES
The outer posterior angles or corners of the lower jaw, at the bases of the ascending rami.
H
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE
Measured by encircling tape around the head, covering glabella and opisthocranion.
HORIZONTAL PLANE (transverse plane)
Divides the body into a superior (or upper) and an inferior (or lower) section.
HYPERBRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 85.6 and over; extremely round- or short-headed.
HYPERDOLICHOCEPHALIC
Possessing an extremely low cephalic index; extremely long- or narrow-headed, or both.
HYPEREURYENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 44.9 and under on the skull; extremely long- or narrow upper-faced, or both.
HYPERLEPTOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 93.0 or over; extremely long- or narrow-faced, or both.
HYPSICEPHALIC
Possessing a length-height index of 62.6 and over on the living; high headed.
HYPSICONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 89.0 and over; high orbitted.
I
INFERIOR
Below, toward the feet.
INFERIOR NASAL CONCHAE
One of three scroll-like bones that project from the lateral wall of the nasal cavity; the inferior nasal conchae articulate with the ethmoid, maxilla, lacrimal and palatine bones and form the lower part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
INFRA-
Prefix meaning below or under.
INION (i)
A projection in the center of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone; inion may be absent in cases of occipital torus.
INTEROCULAR DISTANCE (interocular diameter) (en-en)
Measured by sliding caliper: covering tips of caliper with index fingers, place fixed tip above subject's right endocanthion; use 3rd and 5th fingers to steady instrument above subject's face as you slide left tip to the left endocanthion.
INTERORBITAL DISTANCE
The distance between the inner borders of the bony eye sockets.
L
LACRIMAL BONE
A thin scalelike bone, roughly resembling a fingernail in size and shape, at the anterior part of the medial wall of the orbit, articulating with the frontal and ethmoidal bones and the maxilla and inferior nasal concha.
LAMBDA
A point at the juncture of the parietal and occipital bones.
LAMBDOID
Pertaining to the region of lambda.
LATERAL
Away from the midline.
LENGTH-HEIGHT INDEX
(head height * 100) / head length
On the living, the height measurement is the auricular height; on the skull, the basion-bregma height is usually employed.
LEPTENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 55.0 and over on the skull; long or narrow upper-faced, or both.
LEPTOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 88.0 to 92.9; long- or narrow-faced, or both.
LEPTORRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 46.9 and under on the skull, or of 69.9 and under on the living; relatively narrow-nosed.
LOWER FACE DEPTH (gn-t)
Measured on the left and right sides of the face using spreading calipers: similar to mid face depth, place the anterior tip of the caliper to the anterior point of gnathion and touch posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
M
MALARS (zygomatic bones)
The triangular bones on either side of the face below the eyes; commonly referred to as the cheekbones, they form the prominences of the cheeks and part of the outer wall and floor of the orbits.
MANDIBLE
The bone forming the lower jaw; the largest and strongest bone of the face, presenting a body and a pair of rami, which articulate with the skull at the tempromandibular joints.
MASTOID CRESTS
See supramastoid ridges.
MAXILLAE
paried bones uniting to form the upper jawbone. The maxillae atriculate with every bone of the face except the mandible, or lower jawbone.
MAXIMUM BIPARIETAL BREADTH
The maximum breadth of the skull taken above the supramastoid crests.
MAXIMUM CRANIAL BREADTH (eu-eu)
Measured by spreading calipers: slide both tips of caliper down lateral sides of parietal bones, then move caliper tips forward and back until maximum width (eurions) is reached.
MAXIMUM CRANIAL LENGTH (g-op)
Measured by spreading caliper: with anterior caliper tip resting on glabella, slide posterior tip inferiorly along medial line of occipital until maximum width is reached (opisthocranion); conventional technique keeps calipers along a sagittal midline; however, in patients with plagiocephaly, the posterior point of the skull may not be in the midline of the cranium; for clinical purposes take this measurement at the most posterior location.
MAXIMUM FACIAL BREADTH (zy-zy)
Measured by spreading caliper: by palpation locate the most lateral point of the zygomatic arch with the tips of index fingers and place the caliper tips on the arches with enough pressure to feel the bone; move the caliper back and forth, up and down until scale shows maximum reading.
MAXIMUM FRONTAL BREADTH (maximum frontal diameter)
The distance between the lower anterior extremities of the frontal bone at the fronto-malar junctures.
MEDIAL
Toward the midline.
MEDIAN PLANE (midsagittal plane)
Divides the body into right and left halves.
MENTON
See gnathion.
MESENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 50.0 to 54.9 on the skull; of moderate or intermediate upper face form.
MESOCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 76.0 to 80.9; intermediate in head form.
MESOCONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 83.0 to 88.9; of moderate or intermediate orbital form.
MESOCRANIAL
Possessing a cranial index of 75.0 to 79.9; of moderate or intermediate skull form.
MESOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 84.0 to 87.9; moderate in face form.
MESORRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 47.0 to 50.9 on the skull, or of 70.0 to 84.9 on the living; of moderate nasal proportions.
MID FACE DEPTH (sn-t)
Measured on the right and left sides of the face using spreading calipers: place the anterior tip of the caliper at subnasale and touch the posterior tip to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
MIDSAGITTAL PLANE (median plane)
Divides the body into right and left halves.
MINIMUM FRONTAL BREADTH (minimum frontal diameter) (ft-ft)
Measured by spreading calipers: by palpation with index fingers, identify temporal crests of frontal bone; continue along crests to the deepest (most medial) points of curves superior to the superior orbital rims; make sure caliper tips do not slip into temporal fossae.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Non-metrical, observational attributes of the human body.
MORPHOLOGICAL FACE HEIGHT (total face height) (n-gn)
Meausured by sliding caliper: place the fixed tip of caliper at the subject's gnathion, slide the moveable end superiorly until it contacts nasion.
MORPHOLOGICAL UPPER FACE HEIGHT
The height of the face from nasion to alveon or prosthion; on the living, to the lower border of the gums between the two upper median incisors.
N
NASAL BONE
Small oblong bones that meet at the middle and superior part of the face; their fusion forms the superior part of the bridge of the nose.
NASAL INDEX
(nose breadth * 100) / nose height
NASIO-BREGMATIC ARC
The distance, on the external surface of the skull in a sagittal line, between nasion and bregma; the sagittal arc of the frontal bone.
NASION (n)
The midpoint on the naso-frontal suture; the root of the nose.
NASION DEPRESSION
The depression in the facial profile below glabella, in the region of nasion.
NASO-LABIAL FOLDS
The creases running from the nasal wings to the corners of the mouth, and delimiting the area of the integumental upper lip.
NOSE HEIGHT
On the skull, from nasion to the lower borders of the piriform opening; on the living, from nasion to the lowest point on the posterior border of the nasal septum, where it joins the upper lip.
O
OCCIPITAL
Pertaining to the occipital bone.
OCCIPUT (occipital bone)
A single trapezoid-shaped bone situated at the posterior and inferior part of the cranium, from the foramen magnum to lambda.
OCCIPITAL FLATTENING
A vertical flattening of the occipital bone below lambda; in some cases of hereditary and in others of artificial causation.
OCCIPITAL TORUS
A pronounced ridging of the superior nuchal line of the occiput.
OPHYRON
An arbitrary point on the median sagittal line of the frontal bone, immediately above, and usually posterior to, glabella.
OPISTHION
The midpoint on the posterior border of the foramen magnum.
OPISTHOCRANION (op)
The most prominent posterior point on the occiput.
ORBIT
The bony eye socket.
ORBITO-TRAGIAL DISTANCE(upper cheek depth) (ex-t)
Measured on the left and right sides of the face using spreading calipers: hold the anterior tip of caliper to exocanthion, touch posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
ORTHOCEPHALIC
Possessing a length-height index on the skull of 74.9 or under; on the living of 62.9 or under; relatively low-headed.
ORTHOGNATHOUS
Straight-jawed, as opposed to prognathous.
OTOBASION INFERIUS
The lowest point of attachment of the exteral ear to the head.
OTOBASION SUPERIUS
The highest point of attachment of the exteral ear to the head.
P
PAEDOMORPHIC
Child-like in bodily form; a partial synonym of foetalized and infantile.
PALATAL TORUS
A thickening and downward projection of the central sagittal line marking the junction of the two sides of the palate.
PALATINE BONE
One of two irregularly shaped bones (L-shaped) forming the posterior part of the hard palate, the lateral wall of the nasal fossa between the medial pterygoid plate and the maxilla, and the posterior part of the floor of the orbit; the posterior part of the hard palate, which separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, is formed by the horizontal plates.
PALPATION
Feeling with the finger or fingers to locate anatomical landmarks.
PALPEBRAL OPENING
The distance between the eyelids when the eye is open.
PARIETAL BONES
One of the two quadrilateral bones on either side of the cranium forming part of the superior and lateral surfaces of the skull, and joining each other in the midline at the sagittal suture. The parietal bones form the greater portion of the sides and roof of the cranial cavity.
PIRIFORM OPENING
The aperture of the nasal passages in the facial skeleton.
PORION (po)
The most superior point on the upper margin of the external auditory meatus with the head in the Frankfort horizontal plane.
POSTERIOR (dorsal)
The back side of the body.
PROGNATHISM
A forward projection of the jaws.
PROSTHION (alveon) (pr)
The most anterior point on the alveolar border of the upper jaw, on the median line between the two upper median incisors.
PROXIMAL
Closest part nearest the trunk or head.
Q,R
RELATIVE SHOULDER BREADTH
(biacromial diameter * 100) / stature
RELATIVE SITTING HEIGHT
(sitting height * 100) / stature
RELATIVE SPAN
(span * 100) / stature
S
SIGMOID NOTCH
The curved upper surface of the ascending ramus of the mandible between the coronoid process and the condyle.
SITTING HEIGHT
The height of the human body from chair to vertex, taken while the subject is sitting erect.
SKULL
The cranium and the mandible.
SPAN
The distance between the two middle finger tips when the arms are stretched in opposite directions; maximum arm stretch.
SPHENOID BONE
A single, irregular, wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull, which forms a part of the floor of the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae; this bone is referred to as the keystone of the cranial floor because it articulates with all the other cranial bones.
SUB-BRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 80.0 to 82.0; moderately round-headed.
SUBNASALE (sn)
In the midline, the junction between the lower border of the nasal septum and the cutaneous portion of the upper lip.
SUPERCILIARY REGION
The browridge area, literally the region above the eyelids.
SUPERIOR (cranial)
Above or near the head.
SUPRA-
Prefix meaning above or over.
SUPRAMASTOID RIDGES (mastoid crests)
Bony crests above the mastoids, usually on the temporal bones alone, but extending in some cases onto the parietals.
SUPRAORBITAL BREADTH - BONY (fz-fz)
Measured by spreading caliper: place tips of caliper at the right and left frontozygomaticus.
SUPRAORBITAL HALF-BREADTH (fz-g)
Measured on the right and left sides of the head by sliding caliper: place the tip of the fixed arm at the frontozygomatic suture and slide the arm medially until it touches glabella.
SUPRAORBITAL REGION
The area of the frontal bone immediately above the orbits.
SUPRAORBITAL TORUS
An exaggerated form of browridge in which the prominence is continuous.
SYMPHYSIAL HEIGHT (OF MANDIBLE)
The depth of the mandible from the point between the two lower median incisors to menton.
T
TEMPORAL BONE
One of the two irregular bones on either side of the skull forming part of the lateral surfaces and base of the skull, and containing the organs of hearing; the temporal bones form the inferior sides of the cranium and part of the cranial floor.
TORUS
One of the several bony ridges or crests which may occur on the cranium.
TOTAL CRANIOFACIAL HEAD HEIGHT (v-gn)
Measured in the midline using a double sliding caliper and a level.
TOTAL FACE HEIGHT
See morphological face height.
TRAGION (t)
Point at the notch above the tragus of the ear where the upper edge of the cartilage disappears into the skin of the face.
TRANSVERSE PLANE
Divides the body into a superior (or upper) and an inferior (or lower) section; also called the horiontal plane.
TRICHION
The midpoint of the hairline.
TYMPANIC PLATE
That portion of the temporal bone which forms the anterior border of the auditory opening, or bony ear hole.
U
UPPER CHEEK DEPTH
See orbito-tragial distance.
UPPER FACE DEPTH (n-t)
Measured on the right and life sides of the face using spreading calipers: place the anterior tip of the caliper at nasion and touch the posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
UPPER FACE HEIGHT (n-pr)
On the skull, the distance from nasion to prosthion; on the living, the distance from nasion to the lowest point on the gums between the two upper median incisors, corresponding as nearly as possible to the measurement on the skull.
UPPER FACIAL INDEX
(upper face height * 100) / bizygomatic
V
VENTRAL (anterior)
The front side of the body.
VERTEX (v)
The highest point on the head with the head in the Frankfort horizontal plane.
VOMER
A roughly triangular bone that forms the inferior and posterior of the nasal septum.
W,X,Y,Z
ZYGION (zy)
The most lateral point on the zygomatic arch.
ZYGOMATIC ARCH
The bony arch, formed of portions of the malar and temporal bones, which encloses the temporal muscles and serves as the upper attachment of the masseter.
ZYGOMATIC BONES
See malars.
A
ALVEON
See prosthion.
ANTERIOR (ventral)
The front side of the body.
ANTERIOR HEAD HEIGHT (v-n)
Measured in the midline using a double sliding caliper and a level.
ANTHROPOMETRY
The measurement of the bodily characters of human beings.
AURICULAR
Pertaining to the ear or ear hole.
AURICULAR HEAD HEIGHT (v-po)
Measured on the right and left sides of the head using a double sliding caliper and a level.
B
BASION
An anatomical point on the midpoint of the posterior border of the foramen magnum.
BASION-BREGMA HEIGHT
The height of the cranial vault from basion to bregma.
BIGONIAL DIAMETER
The maximum distance between the external gonial angles of the mandible, taken both on the dry mandible and on the living.
BIOCULAR WIDTH (ex-ex)
Measured by sliding caliper: covering tips of caliper as in en-en, place fixed tip of caliper above subject's right exocanthion, slide movable tip to position above subject's left exocanthion; use fingers to steady the instrument above the subject's face.
BIOMETRIC
Pertaining to the accurate measurement of living beings.
BIZYGOMATIC DIAMETER
See maximum facial breadth.
BRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 81.0 to 85.4; round- or short-headed.
BREADTH-HEIGHT INDEX
(head height * 100) / head breadth
On the living the height measurement is the auricular height; on the skull the basion-bregma height is usually employed.
C
CALVARIUM
The brain case.
CEPHALIC INDEX (C.I.)
(head breadth * 100) / head length
The most commonly used index of the human body in racial studies.
CEPHALIC MODULE
(head length + head breadth + auricular height) / 3
The average of the three principal diameters of the cranial vault on the living; thus a measure of absolute head size.
CHAMAECONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 82.9 and under; low-orbitted.
CHAMAERRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 51.0 and over on the skull; relatively wide-nosed.
CORONAL PLANE (frontal plane)
Divides the body into front and rear sections.
CRANIAL (superior)
Above or near the head.
CRANIAL BASE WIDTH (t-t)
Measured by sliding caliper: the tragi are soft tissue landmarks; tips of caliper should gently touch the superior margins of tragi.
CRANIAL INDEX
(cranial lenght * 100) / cranial breadth
CRANIUM
The face and the calvarium.
D
DISTAL
The end farthest from the trunk or head.
DOLICHOCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 75.9 and under; long- or narrow-headed, or both.
DOLICHOCHRANIAL
Possessing a cranial index of 74.9 and under; long- or narrow-skulled, or both.
DORSAL (posterior)
The back side of the body.
E
ENDOCANTHION (en)
The inner corner of the eye fissure where the eyelids meet.
EPICANTHIC FOLD (epicanthus; mongolid fold)
Eyefold common among the Mongolid races, often creating a false impression of slanted eyes; a) illustration of epicanthic fold, b) Japanese woman with epicanthus:
ETHMOID BONE
Seivelike spongy bone located in the anterior part of the floor of the cranium between the orbits; the ethmoid is the principal supporting structure of the nasal cavity.
EURYENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 49.9 and under on the skull; short or broad upper-faced, or both.
EURION (eu)
The most lateral point on the head (identified in opposition).
EURYPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 83.9 and under; short- or broad-faced, or both.
EXOCANTHION (ex)
The outer corner of the eye fissure where the eyelids meet.
EYE-EAR PLANE
A conventional or standard level at which the skull is placed for craniometric study, with the lower border of the left orbit on the same horizontal plane as the upper borders of the two ear holes.
F
FACIAL INDEX (F.I.)
(total face height * 100) / bizygomatic
FORAMEN MAGNUM
The main opening at the base of the skull through which the brain is connected to the major nerves of the body.
FRONTAL BONE
Forms the forehead, the roofs of the orbits, and most of the anterior part of the cranial floor.
FRONTAL BOSSES
Paired tuberosities or eminences on the forehead.
FRONTAL PLANE (coronal plane)
Divides the body into front and rear sections.
FRONTOTEMPORALE (ft)
The most medial point on the temporal crest, identified by palpation.
FRONTOZYGOMATICUS (fz)
The most lateral point on the frontozygomatic suture.
FRONTOZYGOMATICUS-GLABELLA-FRONTOZYGOMATICUS (fz-g-fz)
Measured on the surface above the orbits using a measuring tape: place the tape at the origin of the right frontozygomaticus, guiding the tape over glabella to the left frontozygomaticus.
G
GLABELLA (g)
The most prominent point in the median sagittal plane between the supraorbital ridges.
GLABELLO-OCCIPITAL LENGTH
See maximum cranial lentgh.
GNATHION (menton) (gn)
The lowest central point of the symphysis of the mandible, beneath the bony chin.
GONIAL ANGLES
The outer posterior angles or corners of the lower jaw, at the bases of the ascending rami.
H
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE
Measured by encircling tape around the head, covering glabella and opisthocranion.
HORIZONTAL PLANE (transverse plane)
Divides the body into a superior (or upper) and an inferior (or lower) section.
HYPERBRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 85.6 and over; extremely round- or short-headed.
HYPERDOLICHOCEPHALIC
Possessing an extremely low cephalic index; extremely long- or narrow-headed, or both.
HYPEREURYENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 44.9 and under on the skull; extremely long- or narrow upper-faced, or both.
HYPERLEPTOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 93.0 or over; extremely long- or narrow-faced, or both.
HYPSICEPHALIC
Possessing a length-height index of 62.6 and over on the living; high headed.
HYPSICONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 89.0 and over; high orbitted.
I
INFERIOR
Below, toward the feet.
INFERIOR NASAL CONCHAE
One of three scroll-like bones that project from the lateral wall of the nasal cavity; the inferior nasal conchae articulate with the ethmoid, maxilla, lacrimal and palatine bones and form the lower part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.
INFRA-
Prefix meaning below or under.
INION (i)
A projection in the center of the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone; inion may be absent in cases of occipital torus.
INTEROCULAR DISTANCE (interocular diameter) (en-en)
Measured by sliding caliper: covering tips of caliper with index fingers, place fixed tip above subject's right endocanthion; use 3rd and 5th fingers to steady instrument above subject's face as you slide left tip to the left endocanthion.
INTERORBITAL DISTANCE
The distance between the inner borders of the bony eye sockets.
L
LACRIMAL BONE
A thin scalelike bone, roughly resembling a fingernail in size and shape, at the anterior part of the medial wall of the orbit, articulating with the frontal and ethmoidal bones and the maxilla and inferior nasal concha.
LAMBDA
A point at the juncture of the parietal and occipital bones.
LAMBDOID
Pertaining to the region of lambda.
LATERAL
Away from the midline.
LENGTH-HEIGHT INDEX
(head height * 100) / head length
On the living, the height measurement is the auricular height; on the skull, the basion-bregma height is usually employed.
LEPTENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 55.0 and over on the skull; long or narrow upper-faced, or both.
LEPTOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 88.0 to 92.9; long- or narrow-faced, or both.
LEPTORRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 46.9 and under on the skull, or of 69.9 and under on the living; relatively narrow-nosed.
LOWER FACE DEPTH (gn-t)
Measured on the left and right sides of the face using spreading calipers: similar to mid face depth, place the anterior tip of the caliper to the anterior point of gnathion and touch posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
M
MALARS (zygomatic bones)
The triangular bones on either side of the face below the eyes; commonly referred to as the cheekbones, they form the prominences of the cheeks and part of the outer wall and floor of the orbits.
MANDIBLE
The bone forming the lower jaw; the largest and strongest bone of the face, presenting a body and a pair of rami, which articulate with the skull at the tempromandibular joints.
MASTOID CRESTS
See supramastoid ridges.
MAXILLAE
paried bones uniting to form the upper jawbone. The maxillae atriculate with every bone of the face except the mandible, or lower jawbone.
MAXIMUM BIPARIETAL BREADTH
The maximum breadth of the skull taken above the supramastoid crests.
MAXIMUM CRANIAL BREADTH (eu-eu)
Measured by spreading calipers: slide both tips of caliper down lateral sides of parietal bones, then move caliper tips forward and back until maximum width (eurions) is reached.
MAXIMUM CRANIAL LENGTH (g-op)
Measured by spreading caliper: with anterior caliper tip resting on glabella, slide posterior tip inferiorly along medial line of occipital until maximum width is reached (opisthocranion); conventional technique keeps calipers along a sagittal midline; however, in patients with plagiocephaly, the posterior point of the skull may not be in the midline of the cranium; for clinical purposes take this measurement at the most posterior location.
MAXIMUM FACIAL BREADTH (zy-zy)
Measured by spreading caliper: by palpation locate the most lateral point of the zygomatic arch with the tips of index fingers and place the caliper tips on the arches with enough pressure to feel the bone; move the caliper back and forth, up and down until scale shows maximum reading.
MAXIMUM FRONTAL BREADTH (maximum frontal diameter)
The distance between the lower anterior extremities of the frontal bone at the fronto-malar junctures.
MEDIAL
Toward the midline.
MEDIAN PLANE (midsagittal plane)
Divides the body into right and left halves.
MENTON
See gnathion.
MESENE
Possessing an upper facial index of 50.0 to 54.9 on the skull; of moderate or intermediate upper face form.
MESOCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 76.0 to 80.9; intermediate in head form.
MESOCONCH
Possessing an orbital index of 83.0 to 88.9; of moderate or intermediate orbital form.
MESOCRANIAL
Possessing a cranial index of 75.0 to 79.9; of moderate or intermediate skull form.
MESOPROSOPIC
Possessing (on the living) a facial index of 84.0 to 87.9; moderate in face form.
MESORRHINE
Possessing a nasal index of 47.0 to 50.9 on the skull, or of 70.0 to 84.9 on the living; of moderate nasal proportions.
MID FACE DEPTH (sn-t)
Measured on the right and left sides of the face using spreading calipers: place the anterior tip of the caliper at subnasale and touch the posterior tip to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
MIDSAGITTAL PLANE (median plane)
Divides the body into right and left halves.
MINIMUM FRONTAL BREADTH (minimum frontal diameter) (ft-ft)
Measured by spreading calipers: by palpation with index fingers, identify temporal crests of frontal bone; continue along crests to the deepest (most medial) points of curves superior to the superior orbital rims; make sure caliper tips do not slip into temporal fossae.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
Non-metrical, observational attributes of the human body.
MORPHOLOGICAL FACE HEIGHT (total face height) (n-gn)
Meausured by sliding caliper: place the fixed tip of caliper at the subject's gnathion, slide the moveable end superiorly until it contacts nasion.
MORPHOLOGICAL UPPER FACE HEIGHT
The height of the face from nasion to alveon or prosthion; on the living, to the lower border of the gums between the two upper median incisors.
N
NASAL BONE
Small oblong bones that meet at the middle and superior part of the face; their fusion forms the superior part of the bridge of the nose.
NASAL INDEX
(nose breadth * 100) / nose height
NASIO-BREGMATIC ARC
The distance, on the external surface of the skull in a sagittal line, between nasion and bregma; the sagittal arc of the frontal bone.
NASION (n)
The midpoint on the naso-frontal suture; the root of the nose.
NASION DEPRESSION
The depression in the facial profile below glabella, in the region of nasion.
NASO-LABIAL FOLDS
The creases running from the nasal wings to the corners of the mouth, and delimiting the area of the integumental upper lip.
NOSE HEIGHT
On the skull, from nasion to the lower borders of the piriform opening; on the living, from nasion to the lowest point on the posterior border of the nasal septum, where it joins the upper lip.
O
OCCIPITAL
Pertaining to the occipital bone.
OCCIPUT (occipital bone)
A single trapezoid-shaped bone situated at the posterior and inferior part of the cranium, from the foramen magnum to lambda.
OCCIPITAL FLATTENING
A vertical flattening of the occipital bone below lambda; in some cases of hereditary and in others of artificial causation.
OCCIPITAL TORUS
A pronounced ridging of the superior nuchal line of the occiput.
OPHYRON
An arbitrary point on the median sagittal line of the frontal bone, immediately above, and usually posterior to, glabella.
OPISTHION
The midpoint on the posterior border of the foramen magnum.
OPISTHOCRANION (op)
The most prominent posterior point on the occiput.
ORBIT
The bony eye socket.
ORBITO-TRAGIAL DISTANCE(upper cheek depth) (ex-t)
Measured on the left and right sides of the face using spreading calipers: hold the anterior tip of caliper to exocanthion, touch posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
ORTHOCEPHALIC
Possessing a length-height index on the skull of 74.9 or under; on the living of 62.9 or under; relatively low-headed.
ORTHOGNATHOUS
Straight-jawed, as opposed to prognathous.
OTOBASION INFERIUS
The lowest point of attachment of the exteral ear to the head.
OTOBASION SUPERIUS
The highest point of attachment of the exteral ear to the head.
P
PAEDOMORPHIC
Child-like in bodily form; a partial synonym of foetalized and infantile.
PALATAL TORUS
A thickening and downward projection of the central sagittal line marking the junction of the two sides of the palate.
PALATINE BONE
One of two irregularly shaped bones (L-shaped) forming the posterior part of the hard palate, the lateral wall of the nasal fossa between the medial pterygoid plate and the maxilla, and the posterior part of the floor of the orbit; the posterior part of the hard palate, which separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, is formed by the horizontal plates.
PALPATION
Feeling with the finger or fingers to locate anatomical landmarks.
PALPEBRAL OPENING
The distance between the eyelids when the eye is open.
PARIETAL BONES
One of the two quadrilateral bones on either side of the cranium forming part of the superior and lateral surfaces of the skull, and joining each other in the midline at the sagittal suture. The parietal bones form the greater portion of the sides and roof of the cranial cavity.
PIRIFORM OPENING
The aperture of the nasal passages in the facial skeleton.
PORION (po)
The most superior point on the upper margin of the external auditory meatus with the head in the Frankfort horizontal plane.
POSTERIOR (dorsal)
The back side of the body.
PROGNATHISM
A forward projection of the jaws.
PROSTHION (alveon) (pr)
The most anterior point on the alveolar border of the upper jaw, on the median line between the two upper median incisors.
PROXIMAL
Closest part nearest the trunk or head.
Q,R
RELATIVE SHOULDER BREADTH
(biacromial diameter * 100) / stature
RELATIVE SITTING HEIGHT
(sitting height * 100) / stature
RELATIVE SPAN
(span * 100) / stature
S
SIGMOID NOTCH
The curved upper surface of the ascending ramus of the mandible between the coronoid process and the condyle.
SITTING HEIGHT
The height of the human body from chair to vertex, taken while the subject is sitting erect.
SKULL
The cranium and the mandible.
SPAN
The distance between the two middle finger tips when the arms are stretched in opposite directions; maximum arm stretch.
SPHENOID BONE
A single, irregular, wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull, which forms a part of the floor of the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae; this bone is referred to as the keystone of the cranial floor because it articulates with all the other cranial bones.
SUB-BRACHYCEPHALIC
Possessing a cephalic index of 80.0 to 82.0; moderately round-headed.
SUBNASALE (sn)
In the midline, the junction between the lower border of the nasal septum and the cutaneous portion of the upper lip.
SUPERCILIARY REGION
The browridge area, literally the region above the eyelids.
SUPERIOR (cranial)
Above or near the head.
SUPRA-
Prefix meaning above or over.
SUPRAMASTOID RIDGES (mastoid crests)
Bony crests above the mastoids, usually on the temporal bones alone, but extending in some cases onto the parietals.
SUPRAORBITAL BREADTH - BONY (fz-fz)
Measured by spreading caliper: place tips of caliper at the right and left frontozygomaticus.
SUPRAORBITAL HALF-BREADTH (fz-g)
Measured on the right and left sides of the head by sliding caliper: place the tip of the fixed arm at the frontozygomatic suture and slide the arm medially until it touches glabella.
SUPRAORBITAL REGION
The area of the frontal bone immediately above the orbits.
SUPRAORBITAL TORUS
An exaggerated form of browridge in which the prominence is continuous.
SYMPHYSIAL HEIGHT (OF MANDIBLE)
The depth of the mandible from the point between the two lower median incisors to menton.
T
TEMPORAL BONE
One of the two irregular bones on either side of the skull forming part of the lateral surfaces and base of the skull, and containing the organs of hearing; the temporal bones form the inferior sides of the cranium and part of the cranial floor.
TORUS
One of the several bony ridges or crests which may occur on the cranium.
TOTAL CRANIOFACIAL HEAD HEIGHT (v-gn)
Measured in the midline using a double sliding caliper and a level.
TOTAL FACE HEIGHT
See morphological face height.
TRAGION (t)
Point at the notch above the tragus of the ear where the upper edge of the cartilage disappears into the skin of the face.
TRANSVERSE PLANE
Divides the body into a superior (or upper) and an inferior (or lower) section; also called the horiontal plane.
TRICHION
The midpoint of the hairline.
TYMPANIC PLATE
That portion of the temporal bone which forms the anterior border of the auditory opening, or bony ear hole.
U
UPPER CHEEK DEPTH
See orbito-tragial distance.
UPPER FACE DEPTH (n-t)
Measured on the right and life sides of the face using spreading calipers: place the anterior tip of the caliper at nasion and touch the posterior tip lightly to tragus; reverse for other side of face.
UPPER FACE HEIGHT (n-pr)
On the skull, the distance from nasion to prosthion; on the living, the distance from nasion to the lowest point on the gums between the two upper median incisors, corresponding as nearly as possible to the measurement on the skull.
UPPER FACIAL INDEX
(upper face height * 100) / bizygomatic
V
VENTRAL (anterior)
The front side of the body.
VERTEX (v)
The highest point on the head with the head in the Frankfort horizontal plane.
VOMER
A roughly triangular bone that forms the inferior and posterior of the nasal septum.
W,X,Y,Z
ZYGION (zy)
The most lateral point on the zygomatic arch.
ZYGOMATIC ARCH
The bony arch, formed of portions of the malar and temporal bones, which encloses the temporal muscles and serves as the upper attachment of the masseter.
ZYGOMATIC BONES
See malars.