A rhesus model for the study of the sutures at pterion (918.18)

Abstract

The pterion is located at the infratemporal fossa of the skull. The sutural schemes at pterion are dominated by two patterns, the fronto‐temporal type (FT) in which the frontal and temporal bones are in direct contact (Monkey type), and the spheno‐parietal type (SP) in which the sphenoid bone and parietal bone are in direct contact (Human type). It is hypothesized that the sutural patterns at pterion covary with the relationship between cranial and facial skeletons. Previous investigation of suture patterns at petrion in the Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) from Cayo Santiago, Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC), has indicated familial aggregation. Here we further identify a Rhesus family in Cayo Santiago with a nearly 25% incidence of Human type (SP) in their skulls from members of eight generations, housed in the CPRC Laboratory of Primate Morphology and Genetics. In addition, a member of eighth generation had premature fusion of the squamosal suture. The descendents of this matrilineal family, including 169 members of three generations, are still living in Cayo Santiago. Thus, this family will be an excellent model for studying sutural morphology, variation, and inheritance patterns. Sutures are important loci of craniofacial growth. The interactions between them and their surrounding tissues need further investigation to elucidate the ontogeny of craniofacial skeletons. To this end, further studies and long term tracking of this Cayo Santiago Rhesus family may contribute to a variety of disciplines, including genetics, embryology, morphology, pathology, and biomechanics of craniofacial skeletons, and help establish protocols in craniofacial reconstructional medicine. Supported by NIH grant P40 RR003640 to CPRC and NSF BCS‐0725183.