Coexistence of Wormian Bones With Metopism, and Vice Versa, in Adult Skulls

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate coexistence of Wormian bones with metopism, and vice versa, in adult skulls. A total of 160 dry adult human skulls of unknown sex and ages were randomly selected from the Gross Anatomy Laboratory of Medical School of Dokuz Eylul University. The skulls were examined for presence of metopism, Wormian bones (WB), and coexistence of WBs with metopism and vice versa. Topographic distribution of the WBs was macroscopically evaluated within the skulls including metopism. The photographs were being taken with Canon 400B (55 mm objective). The frequency of metopism and WBs in 160 skulls is 7.50% (12/160) and 59.3% (95/160), respectively, P < 0.05 (). The incidence of coexistence of WBs with metopism was found as 11 of 12 skulls (91.66%), whereas the incidence of coexistence of metopism with WBs was found as 11 of 95 skulls (11.58%), P < 0.05 (). There were totally 23 sutures including WBs in 11 skulls, which had metopism (). The number (%) of metopic skulls for each specific suture including WBs were found as: 11 lamdoid sutures in 7/11 (63.63%) skulls, 4 lambda in 4/11 (36.36%) skulls, 2 asterion in 2/11 (18.18%) skulls, 1 squamous in 1/11 (9.09%) skull, 2 sagittal in 2/11 (18.18%) skulls, and 3 parieromsatoid sutures in 2/11 (18.18%) skulls (). The distribution of these 23 WBs in sutures of 11 skulls including metopisms is determined as follows: 11/23 (47.82%) WBs at lambdoid sutures [5/23 (21.74%) at the right lambdoid sutures and 6/23 (26.08%) at the left lambdoid sutures, and 4 pair of 11 WBs bilaterally located]; 4 (17.39%) WBs at lambda; 2/23 (8.69%) WBs at asterion [1/23 (4.34%) at the right asterion and 1/23 (4.34%) at the left asterion of 2 diverse skulls]; 2/23 (8.69%) WBs at sagittal sutures; 1/23 (4.34%) WBs at the left squamous suture; 3/23 (13.04%) WBs at parietomastoid sutures [2/23 (8.69%) at the right parietomastoid sutures and 1/23 (4.34%) at the left parietomastoid suture and 1 pair of them bilaterally located; , ].(Figure is included in full-text article.)(Table is included in full-text article.)(Table is included in full-text article.) : There was a significant difference in rates between coexistence of WBs with metopism (11/12, 91.66%) and coexistence of metopism with WBs (11/95, 11.58%). The factors leading to metopism may also lead to WBs, whereas that the factors leading to WBs may not lead to metopism.