Relation of glenoid fossa morphology to mandibulofacial asymmetry in dry human skulls

ABSTRACT

In this study, 40 human dry adult skulls were used, all had complete dentition and had no gross morphologic defects. Different measurements were obtained, statistically analyzed and tabulated. The results showed that the articular surface was relatively steeper on the right than on the left and the vertical variables on the left were longer on average. The glenoid fossa and the adjacent skull base on the right were more laterally and distally located than those on the left. The measured variables of asymmetry showed various inter- correlations; the most significant relationship was found between the sagittal positions on the skull base points and between asymmetries in the bilateral structures of the glenoid fossa and the mandibular midline location