100例颅骨视神经管及其周围关系的观察与测量

采用100个颅底(水平锯开颅顶),对视神经管进行测量,全长均值男11.0mm,女10.46mm;眶口的直径均值男4.48mm,女4.92mm;眶口横径均值男4.13mm,女3.38mm.视神经管口前缘点至眼眶前缘上、下、内、外四壁各点的距离均值分别为:男8.87、6.50、8.89、8.82mm;女8.72、6.00、8.22、7.35mm.视神经管眶口内侧缘中点至筛前孔、筛后孔、内眦部眶缘的距离均值分别为男34.4、20.7、43.96mm;女31.42、19.94、42.97mm.颅正中矢状轴与视神经管中轴的夹角均值男37.42度,女36.44度.两侧视神经管眶口均值男29.45mm,女27.51mm.并对眶口和颅口的形态进行了观察和测量.     

New insights into the relationship between suture closure and craniofacial dysmorphology in sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis

Premature closure of the sagittal suture occurs as an isolated (nonsyndromic) birth defect or as a syndromic anomaly in combination with other congenital dysmorphologies. The genetic causes of sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) remain unknown. Although variation of the dysmorphic (scaphocephaly) skull shape of sagittal NSC cases has been acknowledged, this variation has not been quantitatively studied three‐dimensionally (3D). We have analyzed the computed tomography skull images of 43 infants (aged 0.9–9 months) with sagittal NSC using anatomical landmarks and semilandmarks to quantify and characterize the within‐sample phenotypic variation. Suture closure patterns were defined by dividing the sagittal suture into three sections (anterior, central, posterior) and coding each section as ‘closed’ or ‘fused’. Principal components analysis of the Procrustes shape coordinates representing the skull shape of 43 cases of NSC did not separate individuals by sex, chronological age, or dental stages of the deciduous maxillary first molar. However, analysis of suture closure pattern allowed separation of these data. The central section of the sagittal suture appears to be the first to fuse. Then, at least two different developmental paths towards complete fusion of the sagittal suture exist; either the anterior section or the posterior section is the second to fuse. Results indicate that according to the sequence of sagittal suture closure patterns, different craniofacial complex shapes are observed. The relationship between craniofacial shape and suture closure indicates not only which suture fused prematurely (in our case the sagittal suture), but also the pattern of the suture closure. Whether these patterns indicate differences in etiology cannot be determined with our data and requires analysis of longitudinal data, most appropriately of animal models where prenatal conditions can be monitored.     

Digital analysis of the orbit using the non-referring method

Introduction

Anthropological analysis of the orbits using classic anthropometric instruments based on width and height measurements as well as orbital index allows for classification of orbits in terms of their shape, yet it has poor clinical application. Nowadays computer graphics enables a precise research technique implementing the latest achievements in digital technology and data recording. The aim of the study was to compare in let parameters of left and right orbits in male and female skulls by means of digital analysis techniques.

Material and methods

The analysis was carried out on 184 early medieval well-preserved skulls. The examined crania were fixed into Molisson''s craniost at in the author''s own modification. They were directed in space towards the Frankfurt plane and photographed in a frontal norm. Parameters describing the plane structure of the orbits were obtained through computer analysis, integrating raster and vector graphics of mathematical recordings of craniofacial structures.

Results

The research demonstrated some differences between male and female skulls. Parameters of right orbit like area, circumference, radius, excavation, circularity deviation and functional were statistically significant higher values in male skull. The following parameters of left orbit: area, circumference, reference circle radius, parameter describing height between two point (mf-ek), maximal width, maximal excavation in relation to median and mean, circularity deviation and functional were statistically significant higher parameter in the male group.

Conclusions

Orbit shape variability, and especially variability of the orbit in let, are highly important features for anthropologists and maxillofacial surgeons, hence the usefulness of the in let orbit shape digital analysis.     

The effects of muscular dystrophy on the craniofacial shape of Mus musculus

Skeletal anomalies are common in patients with muscular dystrophy, despite an absence of mutations to genes that specifically direct skeletogenesis. In order to understand these anomalies further, we examined two strains of muscular dystrophy (laminin- and merosin-deficient) relative to controls, to determine how the weakened muscle forces affected skull shape in a mouse model. Shape was characterized with geometric morphometric techniques, improving upon the limited analytical power of the standard linear measurements. Through these techniques, we document the specific types of cranial skeletal deformation produced by the two strains, each with individual shape abnormalities. The mice with merosin deficiency (with an earlier age of onset) developed skulls with more deformation, probably related to the earlier ontogenetic timing of disease onset. Future examinations of these mouse models may provide insight regarding the impact of muscular forces and the production and maintenance of craniofacial integration and modularity.     

Ontogenetic Study of Allometric Variation in Homo and Pan Mandibles

Investigating ontogenetic variation and allometry in the mandible can provide valuable insight and aid in addressing questions related to the ontogeny of the skull. Here, patterns of ontogenetic shape change and allometric trajectories were examined in the mandible of 187 sub‐adult and adult humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees. Procrustes‐based geometric morphometrics was employed to quantify and analyze mandibular form. Thirty three‐dimensional landmarks were used to capture the overall morphology of the mandible, and the landmarks were analyzed as a whole and subdivided into separate anterior and posterior units. Principal component analyses in Procrustes shape–space and form–space, and multivariate regressions were used to examine patterns of ontogenetic and allometric shape change. Results suggest that humans are distinct from Pan both in their mandibular morphology, particularly in the anterior‐alveolar region, and direction of allometric trajectory. Chimpanzees and bonobos have parallel ontogenetic trajectories, but also show differences in mandibular shape. Species‐specific features and adult mandibular shape are established before or by the eruption of the deciduous dentition. This suggests that developmental processes prior to deciduous teeth eruption have a stronger effect establishing taxa‐specific phenotypes than later postnatal effects. This additionally implies that divergent trajectories between Pan and Homo do not contribute much to the adult mandibular shape after deciduous teeth eruption. Separate analyses of the anterior‐alveolar region and ascending ramus show that these regions are semi‐independent in their developmental pattern of shape change and allometry. This implies that allometric variation and ontogenetic shape change in the hominoid mandible is decoupled. Anat Rec, 297:261–272, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cranial Ontogeny of the Early Triassic Basal Cynodont Galesaurus planiceps

Ontogenetic changes in the skull and mandible of thirty‐one specimens of Galesaurus planiceps, a basal non‐mammaliaform cynodont from the Early Triassic of South Africa, are documented. The qualitative survey indicated eight changes in the craniomandibular apparatus occurred during growth, dividing the sample into three ontogenetic stages: juvenile, subadult, and adult. Changes in the temporal region, zygomatic arch, occiput, and mandible occurred during the transition from the subadult to adult stage at a basal skull length of 90 mm. At least four morphological and allometric differences divided the adult specimens into two morphs, indicating the presence of sexual dimorphism in Galesaurus. Differences include extensive lateral flaring of the zygomatic arches in the “male” morph resulting in a more anterior orientation of the orbits, and a narrower snout in the “female”. This is the first record of sexual dimorphism in a basal cynodont, and the first time it is quantitatively documented in a non‐mammaliaform cynodont. An ontogenetic comparison between Galesaurus and the more derived basal cynodont Thrinaxodon revealed differences in the timing and extent of sagittal crest development. In Galesaurus, the posterior sagittal crest, located behind the parietal foramen, developed relatively later in ontogeny, and the anterior sagittal crest rarely formed suggesting the anterior fibres of the temporalis were less developed than in Thrinaxodon. In contrast, craniomandibular features related to the masseters became more developed during the ontogeny of Galesaurus. The development of the adductor musculature appears to be one of the main factors influencing skull growth in these basal non‐mammaliaform cynodonts. Anat Rec, 300:353–381, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

前庭小管外口的形态特点及其临床意义

目的：研究前庭小管的形态及毗邻关系,为经岩骨临床手术提供解剖学依据。方法：在32例（64侧）新鲜颅底标本上观察前庭小管的形状,并测量其长度及其到内听孔下后缘,下状窦前缘,岩骨嵴,颈静脉孔上缘的距离,对比双侧的差异,结果：前庭小管多为弧形（48％）,其次为S型（28％）,折线形最少,前庭小管长度及其到内听孔下后缘,乙状窦前缘,岩骨嵴,颈静脉孔上缘的距离平均值分别为：9．7,10．7,7,9．6,8．8和9．5毫米,其中到乙状窦和颈静脉孔的距离两侧有显著性差异,均以右侧较短,结论：前庭小管是经岩骨手术的重要解剖标志,国人和国外人种在解剖上存在一定差异,乙状窦前置和高颈静脉以右侧多见。     

Orbital shape in intentional skull deformations and adult sagittal craniosynostoses

Intentional cranial deformations are the result of external mechanical forces exerted on the skull vault that modify the morphology of various craniofacial structures such as the skull base, the orbits and the zygoma. In this controlled study, we investigated the 3D shape of the orbital inner mould and the orbital volume in various types of intentional deformations and in adult non‐operated scaphocephaly – the most common type of craniosynostosis – using dedicated morphometric methods. CT scans were performed on 32 adult skulls with intentional deformations, 21 adult skull with scaphocephaly and 17 non‐deformed adult skulls from the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, France. The intentional deformations group included six skulls with Toulouse deformations, eight skulls with circumferential deformations and 18 skulls with antero‐posterior deformations. Mean shape models were generated based on a semi‐automatic segmentation technique. Orbits were then aligned and compared qualitatively and quantitatively using colour‐coded distance maps and by computing the mean absolute distance, the Hausdorff distance, and the Dice similarity coefficient. Orbital symmetry was assessed after mirroring, superimposition and Dice similarity coefficient computation. We showed that orbital shapes were significantly and symmetrically modified in intentional deformations and scaphocephaly compared with non‐deformed control skulls. Antero‐posterior and circumferential deformations demonstrated a similar and severe orbital deformation pattern resulting in significant smaller orbital volumes. Scaphocephaly and Toulouse deformations had similar deformation patterns but had no effect on orbital volumes. This study showed that intentional deformations and scaphocephaly significantly interact with orbital growth. Our approach was nevertheless not sufficient to identify specific modifications caused by the different types of skull deformations or by scaphocephaly.     

Intra-operative Measurement of Surgical Lengths of the Rectum and the Peritoneal Reflection in Korean

The lengths of the surgical rectum and peritoneal reflection were important factors in treatment modality of rectal tumor. To evaluate the surgical length of rectum, we measured the length of the peritoneal reflections, sacral promontory and termination of the taenia coli from the anal verge by rigid sigmoidoscope in 23 male and 23 females during operation. The mean lengths of the sacral promontory were 16.5± 2.2 cm and 16.1±2.2 cm in the males and females, respectively. As for the peritoneal reflection, the results were anterior (8.8±2.2 cm, 8.1±1.7 cm), lateral (10.8±2.7 cm, 11.4±1.9 cm) and posterior (13.8±2.5 cm, 14.0±1.9 cm), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female. And only height had a correlation with the length of sacral promontory both in male and female (p=0.015 and p=0.018, respectively). For all the estimated lengths, the length of the sacral promontory had a correlation with the lengths of the anterior (p<0.001 and p=0.001) and posterior (p<0.001 and p<0.001) peritoneal reflections in males and females, respectively. We suggest that the intra-operative lengths of the rectum and peritoneal reflection will be useful information for treatment modality of rectal tumor clinically in Korean.     

Ontogeny of the Early Triassic Cynodont Thrinaxodon liorhinus (Therapsida): Cranial Morphology

The cranial morphology of 68 Thrinaxodon liorhinus specimens, ranging in size from 30 to 96 mm in basal skull length, is investigated using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. From this comprehensive survey, we determined that nine cranial features, including five in the temporal region, separated the sample into four ontogenetic stages. A bivariate analysis of 60 specimens indicated that the skull generally increased in size isometrically, with the exception of four regions. The orbit had negative allometry, a result consistent with other ontogenetic studies of tetrapods, whereas the length of the snout, palate, and temporal region showed positive allometry. The last trend had strong positive allometry indicating that during ontogeny the length of the sagittal crest increased at a much faster rate than the rest of the skull. The large number of changes in the temporal region of the skull of Thrinaxodon may indicate a greater development of the posterior fibres of the temporalis musculature from an early ontogenetic stage. For example, the posterior sagittal crest developed much earlier in ontogeny than the anterior crest that formed in adults, and bone was deposited dorsally creating a unified posterior sagittal crest rather than having a suture that spanned the entire depth of the skull roof. In combination with the isometric height of the zygomatic arch and the almost complete absence of the zygomatic arch angulation, these ontogenetic changes suggest that there was greater development of the temporalis relative to the masseter muscles, indicating a strong posterodorsal movement of the mandible in Thrinaxodon. Anat Rec, 298:1440–1464, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

定位X射线侧位头颅片在诊断儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征中的价值

目的采用定位X射线侧位头颅片的检查技术,观察儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征的腺样体肥大及颅骨测量,评估该方法在评估腺样体肥大及对上颌骨及下颌骨发育影响的价值。方法选择2006年至2010年在河北医科大学第一医院治疗的腺样体肥大患儿65例,其中男性31例,女性34例;年龄6岁1个月～7岁4个月,平均年龄7.10岁。并发分泌性中耳炎12例,慢性鼻-鼻窦炎20例,明显发育迟缓13例。在定位X射线侧位头颅片上把腺样体肥大程度分为Ⅰ组(n=35)A/N≥0.76,Ⅱ组(n=30)A/N≤0.75;以病程的长短分为A组(n=41)病程在3年以上(包括3年),B组(n=24)病程3年以下。回顾性分析比较两种情况下两组的颅骨测量值。结果腺样体的体积越大,对患儿面颅骨发育的影响越明显,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组的∠SNA(84.15°±1.76°vs 82.18°±2.11°;P<0.01)、∠SNB(78.91°±1.35°vs 77.92°±1.97°;P<0.05)和∠ANB(5.18°±1.09°vs 4.25°±0.95°;P<0.01)差异均有统计学意义。患病时间越长对患儿面颅骨发育的影响越重,A、B组的∠SNA(84.02°±1.73°vs 81.89°±2.17°;P<0.01)、∠SNB(78.92°±1.36°vs 77.65°±1.99°;P<0.01)和∠ANB(5.06°±1.06°vs4.23°±1.03°;P<0.01)差异均有显著统计学意义。结论定位X射线侧位头颅片可以很好地显示和测量腺样体;腺样体肥大可明显影响颅骨的发育;颅骨发育异常的严重程度与腺样体的体积和病程持续时间有关。     

Does 3D orientation account for variation in osteon morphology assessed by 2D histology?

The primary microstructural unit of cortical bone, the secondary osteon or Haversian system, is widely assumed to have a cylindrical shape. It is generally accepted that osteons are roughly circular in cross-section and deviations from circularity have been attributed to deviations from longitudinal orientation. To our knowledge this idealized geometric relationship, which assumes osteons are perfect cylinders, has not been rigorously explored. As such, we sought to explore two research questions: (i) Does the orientation of osteons in 3D explain variation in shapes visualized in 2D? (ii) Can differences in osteon 3D orientation explain previously reported age-related differences observed in their 2D cross-sectional shape (e.g. more circular shape and decreased area with age)? To address these questions we utilized a combination of 2D histology to identify osteon shape and superimposed micro-computed tomography data to assess osteon orientation in 3D based upon the osteonal canal. Shape was assessed by the inverse of Aspect Ratio (On.AspR⁻¹, based on a fitted ellipse) – which ranged from 0 (infinitely elongated shape) to 1 (perfectly circular). A sample (n = 27) of human female anterior femoral cortical bone samples from across the human lifespan (20–87 years) were included in the analysis, which involved 1418 osteons. The overall mean measure of On.AspR⁻¹ was 0.703 (1.42 Aspect Ratio). Mean osteon orientation was 79.1° (90° being longitudinal). While we anticipated a positive relation between orientation and On.AspR⁻¹, we found the opposite – a weak negative correlation (with more oblique 3D osteon alignment, the 2D shape became more circular as reflected by increased On.AspR⁻¹). When analysis of covariance was performed with age and orientation as covariates, the negative relation with orientation was replaced by a significant relation with age alone. This relation with age accounted for 41% of the variation of On.AspR⁻¹. The results revealed that osteons, on average, are not circular in cross-section and that 3D orientation cannot account for deviation from circular shape. Osteons thus are strictly speaking not cylinders, as they tend to have elliptical cross-sections. We observed that osteons did become less elliptical in cross-section with age independent of orientation – suggesting this is a real change in morphology.     

Postnatal changes in the growth dynamics of the human face revealed from bone modelling patterns

Human skull morphology results from complex processes that involve the coordinated growth and interaction of its skeletal components to keep a functional and structural balance. Previous histological works have studied the growth of different craniofacial regions and their relationship to functional spaces in humans up to 14 years old. Nevertheless, how the growth dynamics of the facial skeleton and the mandible are related and how this relationship changes through the late ontogeny remain poorly understood. To approach these two questions, we have compared the bone modelling activities of the craniofacial skeleton from a sample of subadult and adult humans. In this study, we have established for the first time the bone modelling pattern of the face and the mandible from adult humans. Our analyses reveal a patchy distribution of the bone modelling fields (overemphasized by the presence of surface islands with no histological information) reflecting the complex growth dynamics associated to the individual morphology. Subadult and adult specimens show important differences in the bone modelling patterns of the anterior region of the facial skeleton and the posterior region of the mandible. These differences indicate developmental changes in the growth directions of the whole craniofacial complex, from a predominantly downward growth in subadults that turns to a forward growth observed in the adult craniofacial skeleton. We hypothesize that these ontogenetic changes would respond to the physiological and physical requirements to enlarge the oral and nasal cavities once maturation of the brain and the closure of the cranial sutures have taken place during craniofacial development.     

Three-dimensional ontogenetic shape changes in the human cranium during the fetal period

Knowledge of the pattern of human craniofacial development in the fetal period is important for understanding the mechanisms underlying the emergence of variations in human craniofacial morphology. However, the precise character of the prenatal ontogenetic development of the human cranium has yet to be fully established. This study investigates ontogenetic changes in cranial shape in the fetal period, as exhibited in Japanese fetal specimens housed at Kyoto University. A total of 31 human fetal specimens aged from approximately 8 to 42 weeks of gestation underwent helical computed tomographic scanning, and 68 landmarks were digitized on the internal and external surfaces of the extracted crania. Ontogenetic shape change was then analyzed cross-sectionally and three-dimensionally using a geometric morphometric technique. The results of the present study are generally consistent with previously reported findings. It was found that during the prenatal ontogenetic process, the growth rate of the length of the cranium is greater than that of the width and height, and the growth rate of the length of the posterior cranial base is smaller than that of the anterior cranial base. Furthermore, it was observed that the change in shape of the human viscerocranium is smaller than that of the neurocranium during the fetal period, and that concurrently the basicranium extends by approximately 8 degrees due to the relative elevation of the basilar and lateral parts of occipital bone. These specific growth-related changes are the opposite of those reported for the postnatal period. Our findings therefore indicate that the allometric pattern of the human cranium is not a simple continuous transformation, but changes drastically from before to after birth.     

Type 3 Pfeiffer syndrome with normal thumbs

We report on a male infant with extremely shallow orbits, spontaneous luxation of the eyes out of the eyelids, hypoplastic midface, broad, medially rotated great toes, and respiratory distress due to severe bilateral posterior choanal stenosis. At 4 days he had open cranial sutures (both by palpation and radiological examination). Subsequent radiologic studies demonstrated: thickening of the skull base, vertebral anomalies, flattening of the olecranon fossae with dislocated radii, and triangular shape of the proximal phalanx of the first toes. Our patient had manifestations of type 3 Pfeiffer syndrome (PS). However, the finding of normal thumbs has not been reported in type 3 PS. Point mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) and fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) have been reported in familial and sporadic cases of PS, but were not found in this patient. Recognizing type 3 PS, despite variability in expression, is important for genetic counseling, prognosis, and decision-making regarding craniofacial surgery © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Disruption of urinary odor preference and lordosis behavior in female mice given lesions of the medial amygdala

Previous research showed that axonal inputs to both anterior and posterior subdivisions of the medial amygdala from the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of female mice, respectively, process volatile and non-volatile pheromonal signals from male conspecifics. In the present study we found that bilateral electrolytic lesions that included posterior portions, but not the anterior subdivision alone of the medial amygdala (Me) blocked the preference of estrous female mice to investigate volatile urinary odors from testes-intact vs. castrated males. Similar results were obtained in separate tests in which nasal contact with urinary stimuli was permitted. In addition, total time investigating volatile urinary stimuli was reduced in subjects with posterior Me lesions. Subjects were able to discriminate volatile urinary odors from testes-intact vs. castrated male mice, suggesting that this disruption of odor preference did not result from the inability of females given amygdaloid lesions to discriminate these male urinary odors. Bilateral lesions of the Me that were either restricted to the anterior or posterior subdivisions, or included areas of both regions, caused significant reductions in the display of lordosis behavior in estrous female mice. Our results suggest that the Me is a critical segment of the olfactory circuit that controls both mate recognition and mating behavior in the female mouse.     

Zygomatic bone shape in intentional cranial deformations: a model for the study of the interactions between skull growth and facial morphology

Intentional cranial deformations (ICD) were obtained by exerting external mechanical constraints on the skull vault during the first years of life to permanently modify head shape. The repercussions of ICD on the face are not well described in the midfacial region. Here we assessed the shape of the zygomatic bone in different types of ICDs. We considered 14 non‐deformed skulls, 19 skulls with antero‐posterior deformation, nine skulls with circumferential deformation and seven skulls with Toulouse deformation. The shape of the zygomatic bone was assessed using a statistical shape model after mesh registration. Euclidian distances between mean models and Mahalanobis distances after canonical variate analysis were computed. Classification accuracy was computed using a cross‐validation approach. Different ICDs cause specific zygomatic shape modifications corresponding to different degrees of retrusion but the shape of the zygomatic bone alone is not a sufficient parameter for classifying populations into ICD groups defined by deformation types. We illustrate the fact that external mechanical constraints on the skull vault influence midfacial growth. ICDs are a model for the study of the influence of epigenetic factors on craniofacial growth and can help to understand the facial effects of congenital skull malformations such as single or multi‐suture synostoses, or of external orthopedic devices such as helmets used to correct deformational plagiocephaly.     

Normalized shape and location of perturbed craniofacial structures in the Xenopus tadpole reveal an innate ability to achieve correct morphology

Background: Embryonic development can often adjust its morphogenetic processes to counteract external perturbation. The existence of self‐monitoring responses during pattern formation is of considerable importance to the biomedicine of birth defects, but has not been quantitatively addressed. To understand the computational capabilities of biological tissues in a molecularly tractable model system, we induced craniofacial defects in Xenopus embryos, then tracked tadpoles with craniofacial deformities and used geometric morphometric techniques to characterize changes in the shape and position of the craniofacial structures. Results: Canonical variate analysis revealed that the shapes and relative positions of perturbed jaws and branchial arches were corrected during the first few months of tadpole development. Analysis of the relative movements of the anterior‐most structures indicates that misplaced structures move along the anterior–posterior and left–right axes in ways that are significantly different from their normal movements. Conclusions: Our data suggest a model in which craniofacial structures use a measuring mechanism to assess and adjust their location relative to other local organs. Understanding the correction mechanisms at work in this system could lead to the better understanding of the adaptive decision‐making capabilities of living tissues and suggest new approaches to correct birth defects in humans. Developmental Dynamics 241:863–878, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Growth pattern of the maxillary sinus in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata): reflections on the structural role of the paranasal sinuses

To investigate the claim that the primate paranasal sinuses possess not a functional but a structural role associated with the skull architecture (Blaney, 1990), the relationship between the maxillary sinus and the skull architecture was studied ontogenetically in 30 skulls of male and female Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata ). Coronal CT scan series and computerised 3-dimensional images served to evaluate the maxillary sinus. The definitive hemispherical shape of the sinus was already achieved after the completion of the primary dentition. Sinus volume increased with a trend indicating positive allometry. When compared with an ontogenetic data set of orang-utan (Koppe et al. 1995), however, the growth rate of the maxillary sinus of M. fuscata was significantly less. The maxillary sinus both of male and female macaques enlarged according to a common growth pattern. However, no sexual dimorphism could be established for the maxillary sinus size. Although the volume of the right maxillary sinus was normally bigger than that of the left side, the results suggested that asymmetry in maxillary sinus volume is related neither to skull size nor sex. Whereas a correlation analysis showed close relationships between the maxillary sinus volume and external cranial dimensions, the partial correlation coefficients revealed that these relationships were highly influenced by skull size. Although it cannot be ruled out that the paranasal sinuses are to some extent linked to the skull architecture, this study does not support a solely structural role for these air cavities.