Morphological and morphometric diversity of the Crista Galli: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography analysis in a Mediterranean Anatolian population
Öz
Aim: The crista galli (CG) is a critical anatomical landmark, and precise evaluation of its morphology is essential for accurate craniofacial analysis and surgical planning. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the morphometric and morphological characteristics of the CG, focusing on gender-related differences within a large Mediterranean Anatolian population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 558 patient CBCT images to perform a detailed morphometric analysis of the CG. The study evaluated CG dimensions (width, length, height), morphological types (Type I: Teardrop, Type II: Tubular, Type III: Ossified), and the prevalence of pneumatization. The influence of gender on CG morphology and morphometry was statistically investigated.
Results: Of the 558 patients, 288 (51.6%) were female, and 270 (48.4%) were male. While mean linear dimensions showed no statistically significant differences between genders, a highly significant variation was observed in morphological types (p<0.001). The Teardrop type was the most common overall (63.4%) and was significantly more prevalent in females (71.5%). Conversely, the Tubular (34.4%) and Ossified (10.7%) types were more frequently observed in males.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that there are gender-specific and statistically significant differences in the morphological types of the crista galli, despite the absence of a significant difference in linear dimensions. This pronounced morphological distinction indicates the necessity of personalized craniofacial evaluations and suggests that morphological typing may be a more reliable sex estimation tool than linear measurements in forensic and clinical applications. Future research can be conducted to validate these findings in other populations and to explore the underlying embryological and developmental factors.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Anatomic variation, cone-beam computed tomography, paranasal sinuses
Kaynakça
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