Objectives: The pterional site is important as it lies in close
proximity to the middle meningeal artery and on the left side, to
Broca’s motor speech area. This location is important in surgical
approaches to the anterior and middle cranial fossae. This study
was conducted to determine the location and type of pterion in a
group of South Indian human skulls.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 50 dry
adult skulls. The distance from pterion to various bony landmarks
were measured on both sides using a vernier caliper. In addition,
the pterion was classified depending on bones involved in the
articulation, its symmetry and its position in the skull.
Results: In the present study a sphenoparietal type of pterion
was the most common (78%). The average distance from the
center of the pterion to the frontozygomatic suture was 3.97±0.10
cm, to the zygomatic arch was 3.27±0.06 cm. The average distance
from the internal aspect of the center of the pterion to the optic
canal was 4.02±0.12 cm, to the sphenoid ridge was 0.97±0.09cm,
to the stem of middle meningeal artery was 0.99±0.07cm and to its
nearest branches was 0.58±0.12 cm.
Conclusion: These findings will be useful in relating the
position of the pterion to several important landmarks in various
surgical approaches.
Subjects | Clinical Sciences |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | January 15, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 |