The elusive petroexoccipital articulation

Abstract

In the present study, 1,869 skulls from the Hamann-Todd Collection were examined (macroscopically and by radiographs) for closure of the petroexoccipital articulation (jugular synchrondrosis). The results demonstrated the the petroexoccipital articulation underwent closure between 20 and 50 years of age in most human skulls evaluated. Approximately 7-10% of the human skulls underwent complete union of the petroexoccipital articulation before 20 years of age. In 5-9% of the population, the joint remained completely open. After 50 years of age, there was no increase in the frequency of individuals with incomplete closure. The frequency of "partial closure" was similar (4-8%) for all age groups (20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65, and 70+), excluding the 30-35 year old group (17.5%). The time interval necessary for closure to occur appeared to be very short. No significant differences in closure rates due to ethnic origin, gender, or laterality were noted. The utility of the pteroexoccipital articulation as an age estimator is discussed.

Revisiting the Developmental Stage and Age‐at‐Death of the “Mrs. Ples” (Sts 5) and Sts 14 Specimens from Sterkfontein (South Africa): Do They Belong to the Same Individual?

“…Stage 3 c From the end of the adolescent growth period, that is, before, but more commonly after, M 3 eruption (Stewart, 1934;Melsen, 1969, in Scheuer andBlack, 2000), or later. From 13 to 25 years, as determined by direct inspection or from CT scans studies (Hrdlička, 1920, in Chopra 1957Madeline and Elster, 1995;Sahni et al, 1998;Veschi and Facchini, 2002;Coqueugniot and Weaver, 2007 (Maat and Mastwijk, 1995;Hershkovitz et al, 1997). No precise age can be obtained; no data on unilateral fusion are available.…”

“…No precise age can be obtained; no data on unilateral fusion are available. Bilateral fusion occurs from mostly above 20 years of age (this occurs in 90%-93% of the population by this time; Hershkovitz et al, 1997), or 22-36 years according to Maat and Mastwijk (1995).…”

Is aging recorded in blood Cu and Zn isotope compositions?

“…7 However, these methods are unreliable, firstly because of the variability of aging and values of bone indicators. 8,9 If multifactorial and probabilistic studies show better accuracy, they can only suggest large chronological ranges. 9,10 As well, new molecular aging proxies are currently being developed, based on DNA rearrangement and T-cells 11,12 but they suffer from an imprecision of around ten years for best case scenarios.…”

Application of osteology to forensic medicine

“…The cartilaginous jugular growth plate (jugular synchondrosis/petro-exoccipital articulation), a small part of the occipitomastoid suture, has been studied by Maat and Mastwijk (1995) and Hershkovitz et al (1997a) in two different samples. Although the results do not entirely concur, it is obvious that this area could be useful in assigning age in the young adult.…”