MorphologiePub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2026.101114
F. Lopez Castellanos , V. Feipel
{"title":"Exploring the anatomical basis of piriformis syndrome: A systematic review","authors":"F. Lopez Castellanos , V. Feipel","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2026.101114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2026.101114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Piriformis syndrome remains underdiagnosed, particularly due to the anatomical complexity of the gluteal region. The aim of this study is to identify the anatomical variations most at risk for piriformis syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in English in PubMed and Scopus between November 2024 and December 2025. The search covered various types of studies reporting extractable data on the anatomical aspects of piriformis syndrome. The selection process for this study was conducted by a single reviewer in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 16 studies were selected. Data analysis showed that anatomical variations of types A, B, C, D, and F according to the Beaton and Anson classification appear to be the most common. However, only types C and D of this classification, as well as the morphological variant of type A of the piriformis muscle, were clearly identified as the etiology of piriformis syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Anatomical variations of the piriformis muscle and its relationship with the sciatic nerve are not uncommon and must be taken into account in the etiology of piriformis syndrome. Incorporating this anatomical data into an algorithm could enable earlier diagnosis and optimised treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 369","pages":"Article 101114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101104
Y.R. Djembi , R. Abiome , A. Mikiéla , C. Mba Mba , R. Koussou , N. Ndjota , L.S. Bayonne Manou , N. Boumas , F. Ondo Ndong
{"title":"Teaching anatomy in the Bantu context: Traditions, cultural issues and educational perspectives in Gabon","authors":"Y.R. Djembi , R. Abiome , A. Mikiéla , C. Mba Mba , R. Koussou , N. Ndjota , L.S. Bayonne Manou , N. Boumas , F. Ondo Ndong","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>As a foundational discipline of medicine, human anatomy has historically been built around dissection. In many cultural contexts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, representations of the body and death may limit post-mortem body donation and restrict access to dissection for educational purposes.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To analyze perceptions of body donation after death and human dissection in a Bantu context, to assess their stability over time, to situate them within an international comparative perspective, and to explore appropriate pedagogical alternatives.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two successive cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Gabon among participants from the Université des Sciences de la Santé (USS, Libreville) and three regional hospitals: the first in 2013 (<em>n</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->187) and the second between 2020 and 2025 (<em>n</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->218). The same questionnaire, comprising 16 items grouped into five domains (motivations, perceptions of medical systems, representations of the body, attitudes toward body donation, and pedagogical resources), was used. A descriptive comparison of anatomy teaching modalities was performed with Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (Senegal) and the University of Burgundy – Europe in Dijon (France).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In both surveys, donation of one's own body after death was overwhelmingly rejected (more than 95% of participants), while a majority acknowledged the educational value of human dissection. In the absence of available bodies, the most frequently cited alternative resources were medical imaging, digital tools, and observation of surgical procedures. International comparison revealed marked differences: supervised and systematic dissection in France, occasional practices in Senegal, and the absence of dissection in Gabon.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The study highlights the stability of representations related to body donation in Gabon, characterized by a persistent rejection of post-mortem donation despite recognition of the pedagogical value of dissection. This dissociation reflects a coexistence of cultural and biomedical rationalities observed in various international contexts. Organizational differences between Gabon, Senegal, and France underscore the need to adapt teaching practices to local constraints by integrating complementary alternatives to dissection.</div></div><div><h3>Perspectives</h3><div>In contexts where access to human dissection remains limited, the progressive development of alternative pedagogical solutions combining digital tools, medical imaging, and anatomical simulation appears to be a pragmatic approach to strengthening anatomy education. In the longer term, the structuring of teaching and simulation facilities adapted to local cultural and institutional specificities could contribute to sustainable improvement in medical training.</div></div><di","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 369","pages":"Article 101104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101103
B.O. Ibitoye , F.F. Oloye
{"title":"Impact of in utero exposure to high-dose monosodium glutamate on testicular structure and somatic features in Wistar rat progeny","authors":"B.O. Ibitoye , F.F. Oloye","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats and other foods. The toxic effects of monosodium glutamate on the male reproductive system have been recognized. This study aimed to investigate the impact of in utero exposure to a high-dose of MSG on the testicular morphometry and physical findings of Wistar rat offspring exposed intra-uterine. Forty (40) adult pregnant Wistar rats (150–200<!--> <!-->g) were randomly selected and divided into four groups. Group 1 (control) received distilled water, while groups 2, 3 and 4 received 1<!--> <!-->g/kg, 2<!--> <!-->g/kg, 4<!--> <!-->g/kg as 1<!--> <!-->mL body weight of MSG orally throughout pregnancy respectively. The pups were examined at delivery and allowed to grow for 4 weeks. The animals were sacrificed on the 28th day after delivery. The testes were harvested and weighed. Histomorphometric analysis of the testis were carried out and the morphometric parameters: diameter of seminiferous tubules, cross-sectional area (A) of seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium thickness, the numerical density, seminiferous tubule numerical density and seminiferous volume were measured using photomicrograph and image J software. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α 0.05. The MSG-treated groups compared to the control group had higher body weights and alteration in the morphology of the testicular tissue. There was also a decrease in the diameter of the seminiferous tubule of the testis with an increasing dose of MSG, a dose-dependent decrease in the cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the testis germinal epithelia of the testis. Maternal exposure to high doses of monosodium glutamate adversely affected testicular morphometry and exacerbated testicular tissue alterations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 369","pages":"Article 101103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146114277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101105
Marco P. Barros Pinto
{"title":"Platelet satellitism as a cause of pseudothrombocytopenia","authors":"Marco P. Barros Pinto","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A preliminary diagnosis of thrombocytopenia was made in a 79-year-old woman based on the results of a complete blood count. During the analysis of a peripheral blood film, platelet satellitism was noted. Platelet satellitism can result in pseudothrombocytopenia or a spurious neutrophil count in automated analyzers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 369","pages":"Article 101105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146049065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101081
E. Rodrigues , D. Moreira , R. Silva , A. Franco
{"title":"Radiographic dental age estimation of Brazilian children and adolescents using a national reference sample","authors":"E. Rodrigues , D. Moreira , R. Silva , A. Franco","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101081","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several radiographic methods have been proposed for dental age estimation, among which the Willems model and its Brazilian adaptation by Franco et al. (2024) have shown promising results. However, the Brazilian model has not yet been tested in Northeastern populations. This study aimed to validate Franco's model in a sample of children and adolescents from Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed on 500 panoramic radiographs (250<!--> <!-->males, 250<!--> <!-->females) aged 6–15.99<!--> <!-->years, distributed evenly across one-year intervals. Chronological age was calculated from documentary records and compared with dental age estimated using Demirjian's staging system and Franco's Brazilian model. Mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) were calculated and complemented by Bland – Altman analysis. The mean chronological age was 11.0<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->2.9<!--> <!-->years, while the mean estimated age was 10.8<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->2.5<!--> <!-->years. The overall ME was 0.18<!--> <!-->years (0.06<!--> <!-->males, 0.29<!--> <!-->females). The MAE was 0.70<!--> <!-->years (0.67<!--> <!-->males, 0.73<!--> <!-->females), with the best performance between 7 and 10.99<!--> <!-->years (<<!--> <!-->0.5<!--> <!-->years). RMSE values increased in older groups, reaching<!--> <!-->><!--> <!-->1.0<!--> <!-->year after age 13.99. Bland–Altman plots showed a transition from overestimation in younger ages to underestimation in older ages, earlier in females. The Brazilian model was adequate for the studied population, particularly for individuals aged 7–10.99<!--> <!-->years, with overall differences below one year.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101081"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145507323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tridimensional analysis of the normal upper airways in non-dentofacial deformity patients","authors":"S.M. Costa, B.C. Ribeiro, P.F. Bertelli Trivellato, C.E. Sverzut, A.E. Trivellato","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To establish normative three-dimensional airway measurements in patients without dentofacial deformities (DDFs) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to identify anatomical and epidemiological factors associated with airway volume.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 200 CT scans from patients aged 18–80 years, with no diagnosis of DDF, OSA, or craniofacial syndromes. Scans were processed using artificial intelligence software (NEMOFAB) for automatic segmentation and volumetric analysis. Variables assessed included age, sex, neck circumference, and craniofacial linear distances (Menton–Hyoid, Menton–3rd Vertebrae, PNS–Hyoid, Soft Palate–Hyoid). Airway volume and Minimum Axial Area (MAA) were measured and compared using ANOVA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The mean airway volume was 24,724.8<!--> <!-->mm<sup>3</sup>. Younger individuals exhibited greater airway volumes, especially among males. Patients with a neck circumference <<!--> <!-->40<!--> <!-->cm had a 28.04% reduction in airway volume. Longer PNS–Hyoid, SPH, and M3<!--> <!-->V distances were positively associated with increased airway volume, while Menton–Hyoid showed minimal impact. A low MAA (<<!--> <!-->110<!--> <!-->mm<sup>2</sup>) correlated with a significant volume decrease. Key predictors identified were age, neck circumference, PNS–Hyoid, SPH, and M3<!--> <!-->V distances.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In patients without DDF or OSA, airway volume is significantly influenced by demographic and anatomical variables. These normative data provide a baseline for comparison in orthognathic surgical planning and respiratory risk assessment.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical Relevance</h3><div>Understanding normal airway morphology and its anatomical determinants enhances screening for patients at risk of airway compromise and may guide individualized treatment strategies in oral and maxillofacial surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101078"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145334498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101082
A. Chaudhari , A. Mahajan , S. Nainan , D. Shah , C. Noronha
{"title":"Selection of human embryo for IVF treatment using ensemble machine learning technique","authors":"A. Chaudhari , A. Mahajan , S. Nainan , D. Shah , C. Noronha","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101082","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101082","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment for infertility majorly depends upon the selection of a healthy embryo by the embryologist which is highly subjective and depends on the expertise of the embryologist. This work introduces a comprehensive framework starting with the collection and pre- processing of the day 3 embryo and blastocyst images. It is followed by extraction of multifaceted information that includes color, edge, and other relevant features using local Descriptor, capturing the complex details necessary for precise embryo evaluation. Feature selection is done using the Extra Trees classifier and is followed by a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) for deeper feature extraction. The interpretability and predictive power of the extracted features is enhanced by 1D-CNN. Using a novel approach, the last layer of the 1D-CNN is replaced with an ensemble of classifiers to determine the quality of embryos. This ensemble technique leverages the unique strengths of each classifier used, providing a robust and comprehensive decision framework. The proposed method significantly outperforms existing approaches with an accuracy of 93% and 98% with blastocyst and day 3 embryo dataset, respectively. The research is undertaken in collaboration with Gynaecworld, the Center for Women's Health & Fertility, Mumbai.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101082"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145558027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Estimation of stature from hand length and hand breadth in undergraduate medical students: An anthropometric study","authors":"Niraj Pandey , Navindra Phuyal , Anusuya Shrestha , Anup Pandeya , Ananda Kumar Mishra , Kumar Bhushal","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Stature, a determinant that aids in personal identification, can be estimated using measurements of various body parts. Forensic scientists often find dismembered body parts in trenches, rubbish and elsewhere that are brought for examination, leading to challenges in identification. This study measured the length and breadth of both right and left hands and the stature of the participants, aiming to develop more accurate linear regression equations for stature estimation. Regression equations may be affected by differences in measurements of right and left sides and study done in Nepalese population previously, lack to address this issue.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 195 medical students aged 18 to 24 were enrolled, and measurement of stature was done by stadiometer and hand length and breadth by vernier calliper, after an informed written consent was obtained.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mean stature was higher in males (170.2<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->5.8<!--> <!-->cm) as compared to females (159<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->7.2<!--> <!-->cm). Mean length and breadth of both right and left hands were also found to be higher in males when compared with females. The model summary of the multiple linear regression analysis deduced that R is 0.805, which indicates that there is a strong positive correlation between stature and hand dimensions with a Standard Error of Estimates of 5.083<!--> <!-->cm. Hand length and hand breadth together, may be powerful predictor of stature, as indicated by the greater R value and higher explained variance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Estimation of stature can be done using regression equation derived from hand length and hand breadth. Stature is a changing entity and is influenced by genetics and nutritional status. Future studies can be done taking these factors into consideration and also including a larger population size.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101080"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145467910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101077
Alessandra Fragoso Vieira de Alencar , Daniel Almeida Ferreira Barbosa , Lúcio Mitsuo Kurita , Filipe Nobre Chaves , Frederico Sampaio Neves , Fabrício Mesquita Tuji , Esther Carneiro Ribeiro , André Ferreira Leite , Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva , Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa
{"title":"CT-based morphological and morphometric assessment of the mandibular incisive canal and genial tubercles for sexual dimorphism","authors":"Alessandra Fragoso Vieira de Alencar , Daniel Almeida Ferreira Barbosa , Lúcio Mitsuo Kurita , Filipe Nobre Chaves , Frederico Sampaio Neves , Fabrício Mesquita Tuji , Esther Carneiro Ribeiro , André Ferreira Leite , Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva , Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to perform a morphological and morphometric assessment of the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) and genial tubercles (GT) using computed tomography, in order to develop sex estimation formulas based on linear measurements in a Brazilian adult sample. An observational study was carried out using 300 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from a pre-existing image database, comprising individuals aged between 21 and 50<!--> <!-->years, equally distributed between the sexes. The formulas for sex estimation presented, respectively, sensitivity and specificity of up to 71.3% and 80% % for MIC, and 67.3% and 72% for GT. The MIC presented a formula for estimating sex with a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) (0.829<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->0.024) than the GT (0.760<!--> <!-->±<!--> <!-->0.027). Discriminant analysis was statistically significant (<em>P</em> <!--><<!--> <!-->0.001) and found a higher canonical correlation value for MIC (0.638) compared to GT (0.580). The developed formulas for estimating sex based on linear tomographic measurements of anterior mandible landmarks (MIC and GT) show reasonable sensitivity and specificity. The MIC formula demonstrated higher sensitivity, specificity, and overall performance compared to the GT formula.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101077"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145365666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MorphologiePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101100
Rawad Qaq , Ademir Franco , Scheila Manica
{"title":"Global patterns of dental morphological variation: Revisiting ASUDAS trait frequencies","authors":"Rawad Qaq , Ademir Franco , Scheila Manica","doi":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.morpho.2025.101100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dental morphological traits provide valuable insights into global human variation and population structure. The Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS) has long been a cornerstone for documenting crown and root morphology, yet recent discussions have questioned its reliability for characterising population differences. This study aimed to (i) identify the ASUDAS traits most commonly analysed in recent research, and (ii) compare their reported frequencies with those documented in the foundational work of Turner and Scott. A systematic review identified 43 eligible studies comprising 36,919 individuals representing all major subdivisions of humankind. Thirty variants across 27 distinct traits were recorded most frequently, and 29 of these were subjected to meta-analysis using random-effects models. Nearly all traits showed significant between-group and within-group heterogeneity, indicating strong discriminatory potential but also substantial population-level variability. While broad patterns remain consistent with classic ASUDAS expectations, several traits exhibited expanded regional ranges, reflecting both greater sample diversity and admixture effects. These findings reaffirm the value of ASUDAS traits for describing broad-scale morphological patterns while underscoring the need for multi-trait, population-specific, and context-specific approaches when interpreting dental morphology in anthropological research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39316,"journal":{"name":"Morphologie","volume":"110 368","pages":"Article 101100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145967591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}