Pterion topography in dry human skulls: A comprehensive institutional analysis from Kashmir valley, Northern India

Abstract

 The pterion is an important boane marker due to its frequent proximity to Broca's Area and the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery. The aim of the study was to examine the different types of pterions and gauge the distance between bony landmarks on the skull and the midpoint of the pterion.  The study used 30 adult dried human skulls of undetermined age and sex. Bilateral observation of pterion types and locations was made. The fronto-zygomatic suture, the center of the zygomatic arch, the tip of the mastoid process, the glabella, the anterosuperior edge of the external auditory meatus, and the asterion were all measured using a digital Vernier caliper. A total of five varieties of pterions were observed; Spheno-parietal, frontotemporal, stellate, epipteric, and atypical pterion. Bilaterally Sphenoparietal was the most prevalent form of skull among those examined. The mean distances from the midpoint of the pterion to the fronto-zygomatic suture were 30.99±5.48 mm and 30.21±5.72 mm, respectively. The average distances to the middle of the zygomatic arch were 37.77± 3.61 mm and 37.94±3.89 mm, respectively. The average distances to the asterion were 82.54±7.18 mm and 84.43±6.78 mm. The mean distances to the external acoustic meatus were 50.70±3.18 mm and 51.35±3.37 mm; to the glabella, it was 78.01±6.15 mm and 75.66±6.73mm; to the tip of the mastoid process, it was 80.27±6.20 mm on the right side and 78.98±5.45 mm on the left side. The pterion is the most popular surface landmark. Neurosurgeons, radiologists, anthropologists, and forensic pathologists will benefit from the study's findings about the classification of pterion.