General craniometric characteristics of linear parameters of the middle cranial fossa of a mature person

Abstract

Given the rapid development of neurology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology and forensic medicine, there is a need for new, updated morphological data of internal base of the skull, in particular middle cranial fossa. This is due to the complex bone architecture of the middle cranial fossa and the location of important neurovascular structures in this area, which are important for surgeons not to damage during the operation. In this regard, it is necessary to detail the features of the structure, shape, position and size of the middle cranial fossa. The aim of the work is a detailed morphological and craniometric study of the linear parameters of the middle cranial fossa of a mature person depending on gender. The study was performed by studying 50 CT scans of the head and 50 bone preparations of the skulls of men and women of mature age. In our study, a detailed morphometry of longitudinal and latitudinal parameters at different levels of the middle cranial fossa, as well as determining its depth and area. Morphometry of linear parameters of the studied area of the skull showed the presence of a range of variability in length, width and depth depending on the sex of a mature person. The study showed an increase in the longitudinal size of the middle cranial fossa from the lateral to the medial; the transverse dimensions of the middle cranial fossa take on smaller values in its anterior parts and gradually increase to the posterior ones, which in our opinion is due to the characteristic shape of this part of the skull. The performed morphometry of longitudinal and latitudinal parameters, depth and area of the middle cranial fossa showed that these parameters are predominant in males in contrast to females, which is due to the slightly increased head size in this group of adult’s people. Depth of the middle cranial fossa has the smallest range of variability depending on sex. It is established that right-handed asymmetry is more often observed in mature people of both sexes. Rarely, left-sided asymmetry is determined due to an increase in the length of the lateral sections in mature men. The data obtained make it possible to expand knowledge about the structure of the middle cranial fossa and can serve as a basis for further research.