Osteometric points (
bone
A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various other organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, ...
measuring points) are an agreed upon set of locations on the
skeleton, or more commonly the skull, that aid in the study of
osteology. These points were developed to help researchers make comparative measurements between specimens, and report finding in a unified and unambiguous manner.
These points are often placed at key landmarks or bone sutures (e.g.
Bregma
The bregma is the anatomical point on the skull at which the coronal suture is intersected perpendicularly by the sagittal suture.
Structure
The bregma is located at the intersection of the coronal suture and the sagittal suture on the superi ...
- where the
coronal and
sagittal suture
The sagittal suture, also known as the interparietal suture and the ''sutura interparietalis'', is a dense, fibrous connective tissue joint between the two parietal bones of the skull. The term is derived from the Latin word ''sagitta'', meanin ...
s intersect) to simplify the process of properly identifying them.
Common Cranial Osteometric points
* Incision- the point on the occlusal where the upper central incisors meet.
* Nasion- the midpoint where the two nasal bones and the frontal bone intersect.
* Glabella- The forward most mid-line point on the frontal bone.
* Bregma- Mid line point where the coronal and sagittal sutures intersect.
* Gnathion- The most inferior mid-line point on the mandible.
* Porion- The highest point the external auditory meatus.
* Orbitale- The lowest point on the orbital.
[http://www.cynthiaclarke.com/anth215/215_Assignments/7_Hominin_Osteometrics/Hominin_Osteometrics_Appendices.pdf ]
References:
Skeletal system
Medical terminology
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