The Role of the Sutures in Biomechanical Dynamic Simulation of a Macaque Cranial Finite Element Model: Implications for the Evolution of Craniofacial Form

Abstract

The global biomechanical impact of cranial sutures on the face and cranium during dynamic conditions is not well understood. It is hypothesized that sutures act as energy absorbers protecting skulls subjected to dynamic loads. This hypothesis predicts that sutures have a significant impact on global patterns of strain and cranial structural stiffness when analyzed using dynamic simulations; and that this global impact is influenced by suture material properties. In a finite element model developed from a juvenile Rhesus macaque cranium, five different sets of suture material properties for the zygomaticotemporal sutures were tested. The static and dynamic analyses produced similar results in terms of strain patterns and reaction forces, indicating that the zygomaticotemporal sutures have limited impact on global skull mechanics regardless of loading design. Contrary to the functional hypothesis tested here, the zygomaticotemporal sutures did not absorb significant amounts of energy during dynamic simulations regardless of loading speed. It is alternatively hypothesized that sutures are mechanically significant only insofar as they are weak points on the cranium that must be shielded from unduly high stresses so as not to disrupt vitally important growth processes. Thus, sutural and overall cranial form in some vertebrates may be optimized to minimize or otherwise modulate sutural stress and strain.

Development and Three-Dimensional Morphology of the Zygomaticotemporal Suture in Primate Skulls

“…The zygomaticotemporal suture is considered to be a simple joint and is often represented as a straight cut through the zygomatic arch [Kupczik et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2012]. However, this investigation shows that this is not the case.…”

“…Externally, the zygomaticotemporal suture appears simple, and in past research investigations it has usually been represented as a straight line transecting the zygomatic and temporal bones [Kupczik et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2012]. However, due to its important location within the skull and the potentially high forces that pass through it, one might expect there to be more complexity within this suture.…”

A bilinear elastic constitutive model applied for midpalatal suture behavior during rapid maxillary expansion

“…Biomechanical studies using the Finite Element Method (FEM) are common in Orthodontics (Holberg and Rudzki-Janson, 2006;Provatidis et al, 2008;Serpe et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2012). Recent computational studies have evaluated stresses and displacements generated in the craniofacial complex due to rapid maxillary expansion (RME).…”

Estimating the in vivo location of the talus from external surface landmarks

“…Advances in computing power and software capabilities have made FEA more accessible to fields outside engineering, such as biology (Jongerius & Lentink, 2010), anthropology (Püschel & Sellers, 2016), and paleontology (Rayfield et al, 2001). Insights gained from FEA have been used successfully within these fields to connect morphological form to measurable function (Nguyen, Pahr, Gross, Skinner, & Kivell, 2014;Smith et al, 2015;Sylvester & Kramer, 2018;Wang et al, 2012).…”