Cranial Base Shape Variation with Age: A Longitudinal Study of Shape Using Fourier Analysis

Document Type

Article

Authors

Pete E. Lestrel, VA Medical Center, Sepulveda, CA and University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Alex F. Roche, Wright State University School of Medicine, Yellow Springs, OH

Abstract

Because the cranial base has an irregular morphology, the utilization of conventional metrics, e.g. ,'the cranial base angle (nasion-sella-basion), cannot efficiently measure its shape. To circumvent this drawback, an alternative procedure based on Fourier analysis was developed and applied to the cranial base. Serial data, from 30 females and 30 males, were utilized in this investigation. Systematic shape changes with age were demonstrated, after controlling for differences in size. These shape alterations, present in both female and male cohorts, could be described as a generalized anterosuperior shift of the hypophyseal fossa. Moreover, the timing of this shift coincided with the onset of the pubescent spurt.

Recommended Citation

Lestrel, Pete E. and Roche, Alex F. (1986) "Cranial Base Shape Variation with Age: A Longitudinal Study of Shape Using Fourier Analysis," Human Biology: Vol. 58: Iss. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol58/iss4/8