Anatomical studies on larynx and voice production in historical perspective

Voice production - emission, raised interest of humans from almost the beginning of the humanity. First written information dates back to the Egyptian times 2500-3000 BC. Practically from early Greek period until XIX century studies of the larynx and the speech apparatus brought new and new facts, both regarding the structures, physiology and clinics. Such ancient researchers as Galen, Morgagni, Eustachii, Casserius created milestones for modern laryngology. Authors hoped to present some facts on the anatomical researches in the field of organs responsible for voice production from historical perspective

Fractal dimensions of the sagittal (interparietal) sutures in humans

Traditional studies of the cranial suture morphology have focused mostly on visual estimation and linear measurements, and thus on evaluating their complexity. This paper presents a new look on cranial sutures as curves, which can be analysed by fractal dimension. This new measure seems to be a much better method of expressing properties of sutural patterns than traditional methods. Our findings suggest that the fractal dimension of non-complicated interparietal sutures slightly exceeds the topological dimension of the line, that is 1.0, whereas the fractal dimension of complicated sutures may reach a value of 1.4 or even more. The difference between the minimum and maximum decimal fraction of the fractal dimension indicates a three-fold increase in complexity in the investigated sutures

Accessory spine of the foramen ovale

The objective of this study was to provide a morphometrical analysis of the accessory spine which exists within the lumen of the foramen ovale, and to find out if that structure could mechanically irritate the mandibular nerve. A bifid spine was perceived in the macerated skull of an adult individual. It was located in the anterior part of the left foramen ovale. The overall length of the spine was measured as 1.8 mm. The spine has the homogenous structure, and show high level of mineralization. We conclude that the accessory spine did not compress the mandibular nerve, and the foramen ovale provided enough space for the nerve passage. Probably, these structures remained in anatomical accordance without causing any neurological symptoms

A preliminary study on the relationship between the complexity of the sagittal suture and cranial dimensions

The paper presents the results obtained from analysis of the correlation between cranial dimensions (length, width, and height) and indices against the complexity of the sagittal suture, which was expressed as the ratio between absolute sutural length to the linear length of the suture. The statistical study on 29 skulls shows a significant negative correlation between the height/width index of all skulls and suture complexity (r = -0.78 for male, r = -0.70 for female skulls) and a negative correlation between cranial height and suture complexity in male skulls only (r = -0.49). This implies that lower and broader skulls have a more complicated sagittal suture. Correlations of the height/length and width/length ratios were assessed as statistically insignificant in both sexes

A note on the morphology of the metopic suture in the human skull

The metopic suture of 24 adult skulls investigated showed recognisably varied morphological patterns. The metopic suture resembled wavy lines and was sometimes highly convoluted, especially in the superior part of the frontal bone. The mean suture length was computed as 123.1 mm (SD = 5.307) and the mean fractal dimension was 1.17 (SD = 0.076). Visual inspection of the morphological character of the metopic sutures revealed complex variation in their course between the nasion and the bregma. Comparison of the fractal dimensions indicated a two-fold increase in complexity between the anterior half of the suture terminating in the nasion (FD = 1.10) and the second half of the suture beginning in the bregma (FD = 1.21). The Mann-Whitney test confirmed the statistical significance of the differences in the fractal dimensions calculated. The variety and complexity of the interdigitations in the anterior and posterior part of the suture point to possible alterations to local strains, which occur during the growth of the braincase