Morphological variations of the pterion among skulls at the Galloway Osteological Collection in the Department of Human Anatomy Makerere University

Abstract

Background: The pterion is an important anatomical landmark in anatomy, neurosurgery, radiology, and forensic examinations. The  region is prone to damage following blunt trauma of the head. Although the structure varies with age, sex and ethnicity, this has not  been documented in the Ugandan setting. The study set out to describe the morphological variations of the pterion among skulls in the  Galloway Osteological Collection at the Department of Anatomy, Makerere University.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional  study that examined human skulls for the type of pterion, the distance between the center of the pterion and mid zygomatic arch, and  the distance between the center of the pterion and the frontozygomatic suture. The measurements were conducted using a digital  Vernier caliper. Data was analyzed using the Welch t-test and student t-test.

Results: A total of 65 skulls were studied, the sphenoparietal  type of pterion was the commonest 65.4%. The pterion in females was located more posteriorly from the frontozygomatic suture  compared to that of males, however the p-value was 0.10. The distance from pterion to zygomatic arch and frontozygomatic suture  showed variations with age and nationality.

Conclusion: The Pterion exhibited variations which need to be considered during    examinations and operations of the region.