Middle cranial fossa anatomy and the origin of modern humans

The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology
Markus BastirP O'Higgins

Abstract

Anatomically, modern humans differ from archaic forms in possessing a globular neurocranium and a retracted face and in cognitive functions, many of which are associated with the temporal lobes. The middle cranial fossa (MCF) interacts during growth and development with the temporal lobes, the midface, and the mandible. It has been proposed that evolutionary transformations of the MCF (perhaps from modification of the temporal lobes) can have substantial influences on craniofacial morphology. Here, we use three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometrics and computer reconstructions of computed tomography-scanned fossil hominids, fossil and recent modern humans and chimpanzees to address this issue further. Mean comparisons and permutation analyses of scaled 3D basicranial landmarks confirm that the MCF of Homo sapiens is highly significantly different (P < 0.001) from H. neanderthalensis, H. heidelbergensis, and Pan troglodytes. Modern humans have a unique configuration with relatively more anterolateral projection of the MCF pole relative to the optic chiasm and the foramen rotundum. These findings are discussed in the context of evolutionary changes in craniofacial morphology and the origins of modern human autapomorphies. In p...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 14, 2011·Nature Communications·Markus BastirJean-Jacques Hublin
Sep 28, 2013·PloS One·Markus BastirPaul O'Higgins
Jul 18, 2014·Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India·Bong Jin ChoiBeom Cho Jun
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Feb 26, 2011·International Journal of Evolutionary Biology·Darren Curnoe
Jun 18, 2009·Journal of Anatomy·Simon NeubauerJean-Jacques Hublin
Feb 20, 2009·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Emiliano BrunerMaurizio Ripani
Oct 28, 2008·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Jeffrey T Laitman, Kurt Albertine
Mar 3, 2011·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Thibaut BienvenuMichel Brunet
Aug 6, 2013·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution·Borja Esteve-AltavaDiego Rasskin-Gutman
Nov 20, 2010·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Jeffrey H Schwartz, Ian Tattersall
Jun 20, 2014·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Antonio RosasMarco De La Rasilla
Mar 7, 2015·Journal of Human Evolution·Leandro AristideS Ivan Perez
Aug 17, 2010·Journal of Human Evolution·Katerina HarvatiPhilipp Gunz
Apr 26, 2014·Frontiers in Neuroanatomy·Emiliano BrunerNaomichi Ogihara
Aug 10, 2016·Journal of Anatomy·Christoph P E ZollikoferMarcia S Ponce de León
Dec 22, 2016·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Samuel MárquezJeffrey T Laitman
Sep 10, 2011·Science·Kristian J CarlsonLee R Berger
Mar 17, 2017·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Nguyen Van Minh, Yuzuru Hamada
Apr 3, 2008·Journal of Anatomy·Samuel N Cobb
May 16, 2013·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Marisol AnzelmoMarina L Sardi
Jul 11, 2019·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Dimitri NeauxGabriele Sansalone
Jun 28, 2020·Anatomical Science International·Silviya NikolovaNikolai Lazarov
Apr 3, 2020·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Alannah PearsonEmiliano Bruner
Oct 14, 2011·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Markus BastirAntonio Rosas
Jun 14, 2019·Brain Structure & Function·Emiliano BrunerDiego Rasskin-Gutman
Feb 9, 2016·Journal of Human Evolution·Markus Bastir, Antonio Rosas
Jul 22, 2021·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Federica LandiPaul O'Higgins
Sep 10, 2021·Journal of Anatomy·Ana Sofia Pereira-Pedro, Emiliano Bruner

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