Analysis of the Asterion Morphology in Relation to Its Clinical Significance / Análisis de la Morfología del Asterion en Relación con su Importancia Clínica

SUMMARY: The asterion presents a significant anthropological marking and meeting point between three sutures. It is a surface landmark for the transverse-sigmoid venous sinus complex and is also a surgical landmark for access to the posterior cranial fossa, giving it clinical importance. The aim of this research was to analyze the shape of the asterion and to set the measurement methods that will determine distance between the asterion and surrounding features. The study sample, as a part of the Osteological collection of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad, consisted of 43 skulls. Morphometric analysis was related to the measurement of the defined parameters and descriptive analysis presented the classification of asterion in relation to the presence of sutural bones, as well as the determination of the position of the asterion according to the transverse-sigmoid venous complex. There was a statistically significant difference between male and female skulls for all the measured parameters. The results show that 34.88 % were type 1 (one or more sutural bones are present) and 65.12 % were type 2 asteria (no sutural bones are present). More frequent occurrence of asteria type 2 was seen on both, male and female skulls. The most frequent position of the asteria on both sides of the skull was in the transverse- sigmoid venous complex (76.92 % on the right side vs. 72.22 % on the left cranial side). Clinical significance of knowing the area of asterion is reflected in order to make the surgical, as well as diagnostic procedures, as successful as possible.

El asterion presenta una importante marca antropológica y punto de encuentro entre tres suturas. Es un punto de referencia de superficie para el complejo del seno venoso sigmoideo transverso y también es un punto de referencia quirúrgico para el acceso a la fosa craneal posterior, lo que le confiere importancia clínica. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la forma del asterión y establecer los métodos de medición que determinarán la distancia entre el asterión y las características circundantes. La muestra del estudio, que forma parte de la colección osteológica del Departamento de Anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina de Novi Sad, estuvo compuesta por 43 cráneos. El análisis morfométrico se relacionó con la medición de los parámetros definidos y el análisis descriptivo presentó la clasificación del asterion en relación a la presencia de huesos suturales, así como la determinación de la posición del asterion según el complejo venoso transverso-sigmoideo. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los cráneos masculinos y femeninos para todos los parámetros medidos. Los resultados muestran que el 34,88 % eran tipo 1 (hay uno o más huesos suturales presentes) y el 65,12 % eran asteria tipo 2 (no hay huesos suturales presentes). Se observó una aparición más frecuente de asteria tipo 2 en cráneos tanto masculinos como femeninos. La posición más frecuente de la asteria en ambos lados del cráneo fue en el complejo venoso sigmoideo transverso (76,92 % en el lado derecho vs. 72,22 % en el lado craneal izquierdo). La importancia clínica de conocer el área de asterion se refleja en que los procedimientos quirúrgicos y de diagnóstico tengan el mejor resultado posible.

Propuesta de clasificación de huesos suturales / Classification proposal of sutural bones

RESUMEN: Los huesos suturales tienen importancia anatómica y médico-legal. Se observan en las suturas de la cabeza ósea y tradicionalmente son descritos como planos, supernumerarios, irregulares, inconstantes, independientes y de variable morfología y frecuencia. Actualmente, no existe una clasificación única de estos huesos que incorpore todas las categorías descritas en la literatura. El objetivo de este trabajo fue proponer una clasificación actualizada de estos elementos, en función de una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva y el análisis de cráneos de individuos chilenos. La muestra utilizada correspondió a 113 huesos suturales presentes en 12 cráneos secos, de individuos adultos chilenos. En la clasificación se consideró su ubicación en la cabeza (cráneo o cara), su origen embrionario, su relación con una fontanela, su forma, su posición en la cara y su relación con las tablas óseas. Los datos obtenidos se registraron en formulario especialmente diseñado y se tomaron fotografías digitales. Como resultado general, pudimos desarrollar una propuesta de clasificación de huesos suturales completa y satisfactoria y con ella se analizó los huesos de la muestra, pudiendo evidenciar la presencia de todas las categorías del instrumento. También pudimos constatar que en la totalidad de los cráneos utilizados se observaron huesos suturales, que los cráneos masculinos presentan un mayor número de estos huesos, pero que en los cráneos femeninos fue posible reconocer todas los tipos de huesos suturales, entre otros resultados. También se evidenció un tipo de hueso sutural no descrito anteriormente, el hueso sutural craneal puntiforme. Como conclusión de este trabajo, es importante destacar que los huesos suturales presentan características comunes a otras estructuras utilizadas en identificación forense, es decir, son perennes, únicos, de fácil observación, de fácil comparación y gran variabilidad, por estas razones la presente propuesta de clasificación permite ser planteada como una metodología auxiliar en la identificación humana.

SUMMARY: The sutural bones have anatomical and medico-legal importance. They are observed in the sutures of the bony head and are traditionally described as flat, supernumerary, irregular, inconstant, independent and of variable morphology and frequency. Currently, there is no single classification of these bones that incorporates all the categories described in the literature. The objective of this work was to propose an updated classification of these elements, based on an exhaustive bibliographic review and the analysis of the skulls of Chilean individuals. The sample used corresponds to 113 sutural bones present in 12 dry skulls of Chilean adults. The classification considers its location on the head (skull or face), its embryonic origin, its relationship to a fontanelle, its shape, its position on the face, and its relationship to bone tables. The data obtained was recorded in a specially designed format and digital photographs were taken. As a general result, we were able to develop a complete and satisfactory classification of sutural bones proposal and with it, the bones of the sample were analyzed, showing the presence of all categories of the instrument. We were also able to verify that sutural bones were observed in all the skulls used, that male skulls present a greater number of these bones, but that in the female skulls it was possible to recognize all types of sutural bones, among other results. A type of sutural bone not previously described, the shaped point cranial sutural bone, was also evidenced. As a conclusion to this work, it is important to highlight that sutural bones present characteristics common to other structures used in forensic identification, that is, they are perennial, unique, easily observed, easily compared and great variability, for these reasons the present classification proposal allows it to be proposed as an auxiliary methodology in human identification.

Incidence, number and topography of Wormian bones in Greek adult dry skulls.

BACKGROUND: Wormian bones (WBs) are irregularly shaped bones formed from independent ossification centres found along cranial sutures and fontanelles. Their incidence varies among different populations and they constitute an anthropo- logical marker. Precise mechanism of formation is unknown and being under the control of genetic background and environmental factors. The aim of the current study is to investigate the incidence of WBs presence, number and topographical distribution according to gender and side in Greek adult dry skulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All sutures and fontanelles of 166 Greek adult dry skulls were examined for the presence, topography and number of WBs. One hundred and nineteen intact and 47 horizontally craniotomised skulls were examined for WBs presence on either side of the cranium, both exocranially and intracranially. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four (74.7%) skulls had WBs. No difference was detected between the incidence of WBs, gender and age. Sutures and fon- tanelles located in neurocranium showed a higher incidence of WBs, contrariwise to orbital sutures that indicated a low incidence. WBs most commonly located in the lambdoid suture (44.6%), followed in order of frequency by the coronal suture (39.8%), asterion (21% on the left and 15.3% on the right side) and parie- tomastoid suture (15.1% on the left and 13.9% on the right side). Other sutures with WBs were the occipitomastoid, sagittal, squamosal, zygomaticosphenoid, metopic, frontonasal and frontozygomatic. Regarding the skull fontanelles, WBs were found at pterion, posterior and anterior fontanelles. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights a high incidence of WBs in a Greek population, indicating racial variation. The in depth knowledge of exact location, frequency and number of WBs is essential for clinicians intervening in the skull area, anthropologists and forensic surgeons investigating child abuse cases.

Wormian Bone of the Orbit: A Case Report.

Wormian bones are formed due to abnormal ossification centers in various locations in the skull. Genetic and/or environmental factors have been proposed to explain their formation. These bones can be normal anatomical variants or associated with a number of pathological conditions. The literature reports the most common locations of these bones as the cranial sutures, and reports of the presence of these bones in the orbit are rare. Clinically, these bones in the orbit can simulate fractures on imaging or can dislodge during surgery causing injury to the surrounding structures. Herein, we report a case of wormian bones of the orbit and discuss other reports from the literature.

Morphology of cranial sutures and radiologic evaluation of the variations of intersutural bones.

BACKGROUND: As far as our literature searches showed us, morphological characteristics of cranium such as sutures, sutural bones and fontanelles had been examined in the skulls in the museums and dry specimens until now. As a modern method, three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of cranial bones by using multidetector computed tomography-computed tomography angiography (MDCT-CTA) can display in vivo morphological characteristics. In our study, we aimed to determine the presence and incidence of these morphological characteristics that can be clinically significant in our population, by using radiologic methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined head and neck regions of 185 patients via MDCT-CTA. We evaluated radiologically detectable variations of the metopic sutures, lambda, bregma, asterion and pterion, which can be very easily confused with fractures. Additionally, the differences between the genders and incidence of coexistence of these variations were evaluated. RESULTS: According to our study, the incidence of persistent metopic suture was 8.1% and the incidence of lambda variations was 5.9%. Variations were most commonly encountered on the left asterion, and least commonly on the bregma and left pterion. In the evaluation of the coexistence of the parameters and combinations, the Wormian bones located at the right and left asterions were detected. There were no statistically significant differences between genders. CONCLUSIONS: Variations of the sutures and sutural bones can be easily misdiagnosed with the fractures of related bony regions in unconscious patients with multiple traumas. During surgical interventions in these patients, surgeons must take this fact into consideration in order to make differential diagnosis of fractures and intersutural bone variations.

Huesos suturales umbilicados / Umbilicated sutural bones

Los huesos suturales son huesos supernumerarios observables en suturas y fontanelas del cráneo, variables en su número, forma, tamaño y posición. Formados desde centros de osificación normales y/o adicionales. Calleja en 1870, describe un hueso sutural en forma de anillo con un centro óseo (umbilicados). Nuestro objetivo de investigación, fue buscar y describir estos huesos. Se utilizaron 71 cráneos de adultos chilenos de ambos sexos, en los cuales se buscó, caracterizó, fotografió y midió a los huesos suturales umbilicados. Se hallaron dos cráneos con presencia de estos huesos, representando el 2,82 % del total de la muestra y el 8 % de los cráneos con huesos suturales. Los resultados concuerdan con la bibliografía, en cuanto a presencia de huesos suturales, así como su relación directa con el sexo y el tamaño del cráneo. También pudimos comprobar la observación y descripción de Calleja, encontrando huesos suturales que cumplían con su descripción. El conocimiento de estos huesos es de utilidad en la identificación médico legal.

The sutural bones are visible supernumerary bones in skull sutures and fontanelle, and are variable in number, shape, size and position. Formed from normal and /or additional ossification, Calleja in 1870, describes a sutural ring-shaped bone with a bone center (umbilicated). Our research objective was to look for and describe these bones. We used 71 skulls of Chilean adults of both sexes, in which we sought, marked, photographed and measured the molluscum sutural bones. Two (2) skulls were found with presence of these bones representing 2.82 % of the total sample and 8 % sutural skulls with bones. The results are consistent with the literature regarding presence of sutural bones, and their direct relationship to sex and size of the skull. We also noted the observation and description by Calleja, finding sutural bones that met their description. Knowledge of these bones is useful in forensic identification.

Frecuencia de huesos wormianos en población autóctona de Manzanillo / Frequency of the wormian bones in Manzanillo autochthonous population

Introducción: los huesos suturales del cráneo o wormianos son estructuras óseas supernumerarias, accesorias e inconstantes. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar la presencia, número y localización de los huesos wormianos en población autóctona de Manzanillo. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, longitudinal, prospectivo, observacional y descriptivo, en 93 cráneos en buen estado de conservación, provenientes de cadáveres exhumados en la necrópolis de la ciudad de Manzanillo, Granma. Los cráneos pertenecían a fallecidos nacidos en Manzanillo y en los mismos se practicaron mensuraciones antropológicas. Resultados: los huesos wormianos se constataron en el 44,09 % de los cráneos estudiados. De 72 huesos wormianos el 62,5 % pertenecían a cráneos del sexo femenino. El 56,9 % de estos huesos se localizaron en el lado izquierdo. Los cráneos mesocéfalos e hiperbraquicéfalos tuvieron igual presencia de estos huesos (31 cráneos) pero el número de huesos fue mayor en cráneos hiperbraquicéfalos (33 huesos). Conclusiones: los huesos wormianos son formaciones óseas que aparecen en menos de la mitad de la población autóctona de Manzanillo, tuvieron mayor incidencia en mujeres, en el lado izquierdo del cuerpo y en cráneos hiperbraquicéfalos. El hueso lambdático fue el más frecuente.

Background: suture or wormian crania bones are supernumerary, accessorial and inconstant bone structures. The aim of this research was determining the presence, number and location of worm bones in Manzanillo autochthonous population. Materials and Methods: a quantitative, longitudinal, prospective, observational and descriptive study was carried out in 93 crania in good status of conservation, coming from corpses exhumed in the cemetery of Manzanillo, Granma. Crania belonged to dead people who were born in Manzanillo, and anthropologic measures were done on them. Outcomes: wormian bones were found in 44.09 % of the studied crania. 62.5 % of the 72 wormian bones belonged to female crania. 56.9 % of these bones were located in the left side. Both, mesocephalic and hyperbrachycephalic crania showed the presence of these bones (31 crania) but the number of bones was bigger in hyperbrachycephalic crania (33 bones). Conclusions: the wormian bones are bone formations appearing in less than half of the autochthonous population of Manzanillo, having more incidences in women, in the left side of the body and in hyperbrachycephalic crania. The lambdoid bone was the most frequent one.

Inca bone in human skulls of the west anatolian population / Hueso interparietal en cráneos humanos de la población de anatolia occidental

The Inca bones are rarely seen among other inter sutural bones and are accepted as variants of the normal. The incidence of the Inca bones has been researched in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and types of the Inca bones in West Anatolian population. One hundred fifty-one skulls of West Anatolian subjects of unknown ages and sex were examined. None of the specimens showed signs of prior cranial surgery, bony malformation or trauma. The skulls were classified as adults with teeth eruption. The Inca bones were macroscopically determined and analysed. The samples were photoghraphed with Canon 400B (55 mm objective). We follow previous criteria and nomenclatures of the Inca bones. The incidence of Inca bones of examined skulls was 1.98% (3/151). We observed 1 incomplete lateral asymmetric, 1 complete undivided and 1 complete asymmetric bipartita Inca bones. Inca ossicles are accessory bones found in human skulls due to ossification failure. Inca bones can be used in personal identification by comparing the ante- and post-mortem radiographs. There are some regional variations in frequencies within each restricted geographical area. In the present study, the incidence of the Inca bones is 1.98% in West Anatolian population. The frequency of the Inca bones in the skulls belonging to Hellenistic Roman periods of Cyprus and Constantinople in Natural History Museum of Turkey was 1.59%. The variation in Anatolia's population at different times and regions, because of the migrations, may cause the differences between frequencies in these studies. Evaluation of the presence of the Inca bones may be usefull in identification in forensic medicine and paleodermographical studies.

Los huesos interparietales no son frecuentes entre otros huesos suturales interrelacionados y se reconocen como variantes de la normalidad. La incidencia de los huesos interparietales ha sido investigada en diferentes poblaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el índice y tipo de hueso interparietal en la población de Anatolia Occidental. Fueron examinados 151 cráneos de individuos de Anatolia Occidental de edades y sexo desconocido. En las muestras no se observaron signos de cirugía craneal previa, malformación ósea o trauma. Los cráneos fueron clasificados como adultos con erupción dental. Los huesos interparietales fueron clasificados y analizados macroscópicamente y se realizaron fotografías de las muestras con equipo Canon 400B (objetivo de 55 mm). Se utilizó la norma para los criterios y nomenclatura de los huesos interparietales. La incidencia de los huesos interparietales en los cráneos examinados fue de 1,98% (3/151). Se registró una asimetría incompleta lateral, una sin división y una asimétrica bipartita total en los huesos examinados. Los huesos interparietales se utilizan en la identificación de individuos mediante la comparación de radiografías ante-mortem y post-mortem. Existen algunas variaciones de región en las frecuencias dentro de cada área de posición limitada. En el presente estudio la incidencia de los huesos interparietales es de 1,98% en la población de Anatolia Occidental. En el Museo de Historia Natural de Turquía, el índicede huesos interparietales en cráneos pertenecientes a los períodos romano helenístico de Chipre y Constantinopla fue de 1,59%. La variación en la población de Anatolia en diferentes épocas y regiones debido a las migraciones, puede ser el motivo de las diferencias en las investigaciones. La evaluación de la presencia de huesos interparietales puede ser útil para la identificación en la medicina forense y estudios paleodemográficos.

Incidence of sutural bones at asterion in adults Indians skulls / Incidencia de huesos suturales en el asterion de cráneos indios adultos

Asterion is the point of sutural confluence observed in normal lateralis of the skull where parietal, temporal and occipital bone meet. Present study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, CSM Medical University, Lucknow using fifty five dry human skulls to analyse the incidence of sutural bones at the asterion and its variation. At the asterion, sutural morphology was classified into two types: Type I- Where a sutural bone was present and Type II- Where a sutural bone was absent. Among 27 female skulls, percentage of Type I Asterion was found to be 14.81 and Type II contributed to 85.19 percent 17.86 percent asterion were classified as Type I and 82.14 percent as Type II in male skulls. The examination of 55 skulls (male and female together) brought out 16.36 percent Type I and 83.64 percent Type II asterions. Sutural morphology of asterion is essential in surgical approaches to posterior cranial fossa. Presence of sutural bones at asterion may complicate the surgical orientation. Therefore, the study has been carried out to alert the neurosurgeons. This work may also be useful to anthropologists and forensic science experts in having preliminary idea about male or female skull...

El asterion es el punto de confluencia sutural observado en norma lateral del cráneo, donde se reunen los huesos parietal, occipital y temporal. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en el Departamento de Anatomía de la CSM Medical University, Lucknow, utilizando 55 cráneos humanos secos para analizar la incidencia de los huesos suturales en el asterion y su variación. En el asterion, la morfología sutural se clasifica en dos tipos: Tipo I, cuando un hueso sutural estaba presente y Tipo II estaba ausente. Entre 27 cráneos femeninos, el porcentaje de asterion Tipo I fue 14,81 por ciento y Tipo II 85,19 por ciento. En los cráneos masculinos, 17,86 por ciento de los asterion fueron clasificados como Tipo I y 82,14 por ciento como tipo II. En el total de la muestra (sin distinción de sexo), el Tipo I fue 16,36 por ciento y 83,64 por ciento Tipo II. La morfología sutural del asterión es esencial para determinar las vías de abordaje hacia la fosa craneal posterior. La presencia de huesos suturales en asterion puede complicar la orientación quirúrgica. Por lo tanto, el estudio se ha llevado a cabo para alertar a los neurocirujanos. Este trabajo también puede ser útil para los antropólogos y expertos en ciencia forense como examen preliminar para diferencias un cráneo masculino o femenino...

Estudo anatômico dos ossos do crânio no homem / Anatomic study of skull bones in man

Introdução: o crânio apresenta, às vezes, ossos supranumerários chamados ossos suturais ou wormianos. Normalmente irregulares em forma, tamanho e espessura. São encontrados no trajeto das suturas lambdóide e sagital, podendo as vezes também, apresentar-se nos lados do crânio, na base do crânio, na sutura entre o osso esfenóide e etmóide, raramente nas suturas da face. Objetivo: o propósito deste estudo foi analisar a forma e localização de ossos suturais em crânios humanos. Método: Foram analisados 35 crânios humanos, de uma amostra por conveniência, pertencente ao material preparado para estudos práticos no Laboratório de Anatomia Humana da USC, sendo feitos para cada caso, fotografias e desenhos esquemáticos para ilustração deste trabalho. Resultados: dos 35 crânios estudados, 14 (40 por cento) apresentavam ossos suturais. Dois casos (6 por cento) foram observados ossos interparietais e um caso (3 por cento) o osso interparietal apresentou-se bipartido. Em 12 (34 por cento) casos apresentavam ossos suturais laterais e medianos na região da sutura lambdóide. Observou-se um caso em que o osso occipital apresentou um forame anômalo e pequenos ossos suturais na sutura lambdóide. Conclusão: conhecimento desta variação é relevante para a anatomia humana, antropologia física, medicina forense, neuroanatomia, neurocirurgia,ortopedia, pediatria e radiologia.

IIntroduction: the skull presents, sometimes, extranumerary bones, called suture bones or wormians. Typically irregular in shape, size and thickness. They are found in the path of the lambdoid and sagittal sutures, and may, sometimes, also be present on the sides of the skull, on the skull base, on the suture between the ethmoid and sphenoid bone, rarely on the sutures of the face. Objective: the purpose of this study was to analyze the shape and location of sutural bones in human skulls. Methods: it was analyzed a group of 35 human skulls, of a convenience sample, from a prepared material used for practical studies at the Laboratory of Human Anatomy, USC, being made, for each case, photographs and schematic drawings to illustrate this paper. Results: from the 35 skulls studied, 14 (40 per cent) presented suture bones. Two cases (6 per cent) were observed interparietal bones and in one case (3 per cent), the interparietal bone presented bipartite. In 12 (34 per cent) cases had lateral and median sutural bones in the region of the lambdoid suture. It was observed a case in which the occipital bone presented an anomalous foramen and small sutural bones on the lambdoid suture. Conclusion: the knowledge of this variation is relevant for human anatomy, physical anthropology, forensic medicine, neuroanatomy, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pediatrics and radiology.

Inca - interparietal bones in neurocranium of human skulls in central India.

UNLABELLED: Inca bones are accessory bones found in neurocranium of human skulls. Occurrence of Inca bones is rare as compared to other inter sutural bones such as wormian bones. These Inca ossicles are regarded as variants of the normal. The reporting of such occurrences is inadequate from Central India. OBJECTIVES: To find the incidence of Inca variants in Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 380 dried adult human skulls were examined. All specimen samples were procured from various Medical colleges of Central India. They were analyzed for gross incidence, sexual dimorphism and number of fragments of Inca bones. RESULTS: Gross incidence of Inca bones was found to be 1.315 %. Incidence rate was higher in male skulls than female skulls (male: 1.428%; female: 1.176%). The Inca bones frequently occurred signally. Out of the five observed Inca ossicles, two were fragmented. CONCLUSIONS: This data gives idea regarding gross incidence, sexual dimorphism and number of fragments of Inca bones in neurocranium of human skulls from Central India. The knowledge of this variable is useful for neurosurgeons, anthropologists and radiologists.

Análise quantitativa de ossos suturais em crânios de humanos adultos / Quantitative analisys of the sutural bones in adult human skulls

Os ossos suturais são ossos supranumerários no interior dassuturas. São pequenos agrupamentos ósseos de forma irregularque freqüentemente aparecem ao longo da sutura lambdóidea. Oobjetivo deste trabalho é analisar quantitativamente a distribuiçãodos ossos suturais em crânios de indivíduos adultos observandosuas variações quanto ao local de aparecimento e quantidadede ossos por crânio. Foram utilizados 272 crânios de ambosos sexos e diferentes faixas etárias, pertencentes ao Museu deOssos do Departamento de Anatomia Descritiva e Topográficada UNIFESP-EPM, que foram analisados e fotografados parailustração deste trabalho. Em 98 crânios os ossos suturaisestavam presentes, dos quais 39% dos crânios tinham ossosunilaterais, 18% ossos bilaterais, 16% ossos medianos e 27%ossos em vários locais. Quanto ao número de ossos, na maioriados casos cada crânio possuía um osso sutural (49%), seguido dedois ossos suturais em 24% dos casos. Em relação ao local ondese encontram, a presença mais significativa está entre os ossosparietais e o osso occipital, sendo 36% dos ossos encontradosdo lado direito, 38,3% dos ossos encontrados do lado esquerdo e11,4% dos ossos encontrados medianamente. Os ossos suturaissão inconstantes e quando presentes aparecem com maiorfreqüência entre os ossos occipital e parietal de ambos os ladospodendo ser unilaterais, bilaterais ou medianos.

The sutural bones are extranumerical bones inside thesutures of irregular form which frequently appear along thelambdoidea suture. We intend to analyse them quantitativelyin adult human skulls, observing their variaton accordingto the place they appear and the number. Two hundred andseventy-two skulls of both gender and different age wereused. They belong to the Bone Museum of the Descriptive andTopographic Anatomy Department of UNIFESP-EPM, whichwere analysed and photographed to illustrate this researchwork. The sutural bones were presented in 36% of the skullsin which 39% of the cases they were unilateral, 18% bilateral,16% average and 27% dispersed. Most of the skulls (49%) hadonly one sutural bone followed by two (24%). In most cases,the bones were located between the occipital and parietalbones, 36% on the right side of the skull, 38.3% on the leftside of the skull and 11.4% average. The sutural bones areinconstant but appear more frequently between the occipitaland parietal bones in both sides and they can be unilateral,bilateral or average.

Incidencia de Huesos Suturales en Cráneos de Changos del Norte de Chile, Región de Antofagasta / Incidence of sutural bones in a population of chango? skulls of Northern Chile, Antofagasta

La presencia de huesos suturales es producto de alteraciones en la formación de los huesos anchos del cráneo, considerándose también, variables étnicas, siendo de interés para la anatomía humana, antropología física, imagenología y medicina legal. Con la finalidad de contribuir al conocimiento de los huesos suturales y su incidencia en individuos originarios, se analizó su presencia en 23 cráneos de changos del Norte de Chile quienes se encuentran clasificados y pertenecen a la colección del Museo Regional de Antofagasta. Se comprobó la presencia de suturales en el 43,5% de los casos, con un rango de 1 a 9, siendo bilaterales en el 60%. Predominan los huesos en el lado izquierdo (64,9%) y en cráneos braquicefálicos (IC=96,8). Se identificó el hueso lambda o interparietal en el 13,04% de los cráneos. Los datos obtenidos se corresponden con los descritos en la literatura.

The presence of sutural bones is a product of alterations in the formation of the wide bones of the skull, in addition to ethnic variables, being of interest in human anatomy, physical anthropology, imagenology and legal medicine. With the purpose of contributing to the knowledge of the sutural bones and its incidence in original individuals, its presence in 23 skulls of changos of the North of Chile was analyzed that are classified and that they belong to the collection of the Regional Museum of Antofagasta. The presence of sutural bones in 43.5% of the cases with a rank from 1 to 9 was verified, being bilateral in 60%. The bones in the left side (64,9%) and in brachicephalic skulls predominate (IC=96,8). The lambda or interparietal bone was identified in 13.04% of the skulls. The collected data correspond with the described ones by Literature.