Anatomical Study of the Pterion in a South African Population of KwaZulu-Natal

Morphologically the Pterion marks the location of the four cranial bones, viz. frontal bone, sphenoid angle of the parietal bone, squamous part of the temporal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. Population-specific differences exists in the position and union of the Pterion. The Pterion is also an important neurosurgical landmark for surgical procedures, viz. Pterional/lateral approach, as it provides wide access to the base of the skull. This study aimed to determine the position and incidence of the various sutural patterns of the Pterion in a South African population of KwaZulu-Natal. This retrospective study was conducted bilaterally on 36 dry human skulls (11 females and 25 males) obtained from the Department of Clinical Anatomy at University of KwaZulu-Natal. Ethical clearance obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. The morphometric parameters of the Pterion were measured using a digital Vernier caliper, while the morphological characteristics were examined using Murphy’s classification scheme to determine (if any) laterality or sex differences exists. The mean distance of the Centre of the pterion from midpoint of zygoma was 44.4+/-4.1 mm in males and 45.1+/-4.6 mm in females. While the distance from frontozygomatic suture was 32.7+/-4.7 mm and 32.6+/-4.8 mm in males and females, respectively. Sphenoparietal type of pterion was most prevalent at 55.6 %, followed by the frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric type with an incidence of 27.8 %; 11.1 % and 5.6 %, respectively. No statistically significant difference for sex or laterality were documented in this study. The present study concluded that the sphenoparietal type of sutural pattern was most prevalent with an incidence of 55.6 %. While the epipteric type was the least prevalent. The comprehensive data about the position of the Pterion is important to neurosurgeons, forensics scientists and anthropologists.