Abstract
The pterion which marks the union of 4 bones of the cranium is located superior to the zygomatic arch and posterior to the frontozygomatic suture. It is an important neurosurgical landmark for the lateral/pterional approach and has racial differences in both its location and pattern of union of the bones. This study aims to analyze the location and types of pterion in adult Nigerian skulls. Bilateral sides of 37 adult dry skulls were studied. The pterion types were classified; linear distances from the centre of the pterion to the midpoint of the zygomatic arch and to the frontozygomatic suture were measured; these were analyzed for side and gender differences. Sphenoparietal was the most common pterion type (86.1%) followed by frontotemporal (8.3%), stellate (5.6%), and epipteric types (0%). The mean distances from the pterion to the midpoint of zygomatic arch were 39.74 ± 0.505 mm and 37.95 ± 0.657 mm in males and females, respectively, while the distances to the frontozygomatic suture were 31.87 ± 0.642 mm and 30.35 ± 0.836 mm. The vertical position of the pterion was significantly higher in males than females. Bilateral occurrence is statistically insignificant. This information will be of neurosurgical and anthropological importance.
Highlights
The pterion is a craniometric point near the sphenoid fontanelle of the skull
There are four types of sutural pattern: sphenoparietal, the sphenoid and parietal bones are in direct contact; frontotemporal, the frontal and temporal bones are in direct contact; stellate, all the four bones meet at a point; and epipteric, where there is a small sutural bone uniting all the bones [2]
The sphenoparietal type was the most common type (86.1%), followed by the frontotemporal (8.3%) and stellate (5.6%) types
Summary
The pterion is a craniometric point near the sphenoid fontanelle of the skull. It is a point of convergence of the sutures between the frontal, sphenoid, parietal, and squamous temporal bones [1]. There are four types of sutural pattern: sphenoparietal, the sphenoid and parietal bones are in direct contact; frontotemporal, the frontal and temporal bones are in direct contact; stellate, all the four bones meet at a point; and epipteric, where there is a small sutural bone uniting all the bones [2]. The pterion is located superior to the zygomatic arch and posterior to the frontozygomatic suture This area is known as the weakest part of the skull, yet it overlies the course of the anterior division of the middle meningeal artery [1], making it vulnerable to rupture, leading to extradural hematoma in the event of a blunt trauma to the side of the head [3]. The “pterional” or lateral approach is occasionally used in operations involving the Broca’s motor speech area [5] and repairing aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery [6]
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