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Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-07-06
Accepted: 2020-07-27
Published online: 2020-09-03
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Pterional variable topography and morphology. An anatomical study and its clinical significance

K. Natsis1, I. Antonopoulos2, C. Politis34, E. Nikolopoulou2, N. Lazaridis1, G. P. Skandalakis2, D. Chytas5, M. Piagkou2
DOI: 10.5603/FM.a2020.0113
·
Pubmed: 32896866
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):994-1004.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  2. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  3. OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
  4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
  5. School of Medicine, European University of Cyprus, Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus

open access

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-07-06
Accepted: 2020-07-27
Published online: 2020-09-03

Abstract

Background: Pterion is the junction of the frontal, parietal, greater wing of the sphenoid and the squamous part of the temporal bone. The sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric pteria were described. The current study determines pterion topography, morphology (variant types’ frequency) and morphometry, as well as epipteric bones presence in dried skulls. Gender impact is underlined as well.
Materials and methods: Ninety Greek adult dried skulls were observed. The distances in between pterion and the zygomatic arch midpoint and in between pterion and the frontozygomatic suture were measured.
Results: The sphenoparietal pterion was the commonest (58.3%), following by the stellate (25%), epipteric (15.5%) and by the frontotemporal pterion (1.1%). Twenty-eight (15.5%) skulls had epipteric bones, further categorised as quadrisutural (35.7%), trisutural (57.1%), bisutural and multiple (3.57%). The mean distances between pterion and the midpoint of zygomatic arch were 4.13 ± 0.45 cm on the right and 4.09 ± 0.47 cm on the left side and between pterion and the frontozygomatic suture were 3.47 ± 0.61 cm on the right and 3.52 ± 0.65 cm on the left side. Both distances were symmetrical. Male skulls showed slightly higher values on the left side for the distance (pterion–midpoint of zygomatic arch).
Conclusions: Pterion is a commonly used neurosurgical landmark and thus in depth knowledge of the pteric area and its variants could be valuable. Recognition of the possible variability in pterion location, morphology and morphometry, as well as possible occurrence of epipteric bones may render pterional craniotomy safer among different population groups.

Abstract

Background: Pterion is the junction of the frontal, parietal, greater wing of the sphenoid and the squamous part of the temporal bone. The sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric pteria were described. The current study determines pterion topography, morphology (variant types’ frequency) and morphometry, as well as epipteric bones presence in dried skulls. Gender impact is underlined as well.
Materials and methods: Ninety Greek adult dried skulls were observed. The distances in between pterion and the zygomatic arch midpoint and in between pterion and the frontozygomatic suture were measured.
Results: The sphenoparietal pterion was the commonest (58.3%), following by the stellate (25%), epipteric (15.5%) and by the frontotemporal pterion (1.1%). Twenty-eight (15.5%) skulls had epipteric bones, further categorised as quadrisutural (35.7%), trisutural (57.1%), bisutural and multiple (3.57%). The mean distances between pterion and the midpoint of zygomatic arch were 4.13 ± 0.45 cm on the right and 4.09 ± 0.47 cm on the left side and between pterion and the frontozygomatic suture were 3.47 ± 0.61 cm on the right and 3.52 ± 0.65 cm on the left side. Both distances were symmetrical. Male skulls showed slightly higher values on the left side for the distance (pterion–midpoint of zygomatic arch).
Conclusions: Pterion is a commonly used neurosurgical landmark and thus in depth knowledge of the pteric area and its variants could be valuable. Recognition of the possible variability in pterion location, morphology and morphometry, as well as possible occurrence of epipteric bones may render pterional craniotomy safer among different population groups.

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Keywords

pterion, skull, zygomatic arch, frontozygomatic suture, epipteric bone, variation, anatomy

About this article
Title

Pterional variable topography and morphology. An anatomical study and its clinical significance

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 4 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

994-1004

Published online

2020-09-03

Page views

6814

Article views/downloads

1342

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2020.0113

Pubmed

32896866

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(4):994-1004.

Keywords

pterion
skull
zygomatic arch
frontozygomatic suture
epipteric bone
variation
anatomy

Authors

K. Natsis
I. Antonopoulos
C. Politis
E. Nikolopoulou
N. Lazaridis
G. P. Skandalakis
D. Chytas
M. Piagkou

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