On pteric sutures and pteric bones in the human skull - DWC - KNAW
On pteric sutures and pteric bones in the human skull - DWC - KNAW
On pteric sutures and pteric bones in the human skull - DWC - KNAW
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Huygens Institute - Royal Ne<strong>the</strong>rl<strong>and</strong>s Academy of Arts <strong>and</strong> Sciences (<strong>KNAW</strong>)<br />
Citation:<br />
Broek, A.J.P. van den, <strong>On</strong> <strong>pteric</strong> <strong>sutures</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>pteric</strong> <strong>bones</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>human</strong> <strong>skull</strong>, <strong>in</strong>:<br />
<strong>KNAW</strong>, Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs, 16 II, 1913-1914, Amsterdam, 1914, pp. 634-639<br />
This PDF was made on 24 September 2010, from <strong>the</strong> 'Digital Library' of <strong>the</strong> Dutch History of Science Web Center (www.dwc.knaw.nl)<br />
> 'Digital Library > Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs of <strong>the</strong> Royal Ne<strong>the</strong>rl<strong>and</strong>s Academy of Arts <strong>and</strong> Sciences (<strong>KNAW</strong>), http://www.digitallibrary.nl'<br />
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634<br />
described &everaI year& ago 1) nw,)' bc used for this pUl'pose. In th is<br />
way it will not only be posslble 10 determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> heat of Il'ansformation<br />
of <strong>the</strong> modifications, but also to study thc eql1lllbl'ium-betweeJ1<br />
<strong>the</strong> different fOl'ms. Several llltereSt<strong>in</strong>g pl'oblems may f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong>Îl' solution<br />
<strong>in</strong> this way. I have cal'l'ied out ~ome prellm<strong>in</strong>al'y expel'iments <strong>in</strong><br />
thls direction (witl! cadmium) ill colla,boratlOJ1 with Mr. W. D.<br />
HELDERJlIAN.<br />
8. The same may be said if we considel' <strong>the</strong> l1nmel'OUS alloys<br />
whieh luwe an <strong>in</strong>d ustl'ial as weIl a& a scielltific lI1tel'est.<br />
The melt<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t Clll'ves ba\'e to be revised, tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to_ acroullt<br />
<strong>the</strong> allotropy of <strong>the</strong> C'omponents. Quite recentl.r <strong>the</strong> important pal't<br />
pIayed by <strong>the</strong> previous <strong>the</strong>l'mal histol'J of aUoys Las been eliseo\'cl'cc!,<br />
DIPPIU. 2) has pl'oved that <strong>the</strong> specifie heat of cel'la<strong>in</strong> alloys 1& different<br />
accorel<strong>in</strong>g as <strong>the</strong>y are cbilled Ol' cooled slow Iy.<br />
In expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Ihis fact, DIPPI~L has not been able to take <strong>in</strong>to<br />
account <strong>the</strong> allotl'opy of <strong>the</strong> components of Ihe alloys he m .. pel'irnenteel<br />
with, as OUI' papers on tbis subject c01l1d 1I0t at that time<br />
be known to him.<br />
9. I hope to report shol'tly on <strong>the</strong> problems which have been<br />
<strong>in</strong>elicateel here. We will <strong>the</strong>n cliscuss also sevent! phenomena whielt<br />
al'e observeel <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>elustl'Y, <strong>the</strong> corl'osion of metals <strong>in</strong> contact with<br />
water, rustillg of iron, <strong>the</strong> decay of alnm<strong>in</strong>illlu objects etc.<br />
Utl'echt, December 1913.<br />
VAN 'T HOFF-Lt1borato7'!J.<br />
Anatomy. - "<strong>On</strong> lJtel'ic 8utw'e8 ({nel <strong>pteric</strong> <strong>bones</strong> <strong>in</strong> tlw IW1/lnn<br />
<strong>skull</strong>". By Prof. A. J. P. v. D. BIWEK. (Communicn,ted by<br />
Prof, L. BOI,K).<br />
It is well known that <strong>the</strong> pterlc l'egion of <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong> shows diffel'ent<br />
relatiol1s 111 farm <strong>and</strong> extemion of <strong>the</strong> adjacent ELllUreS as weil al:.<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> existence of separate bon es, <strong>the</strong> so cal1ed plel'ic <strong>bones</strong>, Obsa<br />
epipteriea.<br />
In most of <strong>the</strong> lllunan sk.ulls <strong>the</strong> parietal anel <strong>the</strong> ala magna of<br />
<strong>the</strong> sphenoid touch <strong>in</strong> a more Ol' less extensivc spbcl1o-pal'ietal sutUl'e,<br />
In sorne <strong>skull</strong>s <strong>the</strong> frontal is l'eached by <strong>the</strong> temporal 'bone, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
a fronto-tempol'aL suture is formed. In this case we speak of a<br />
processns frontalis ossis iempol'alis.<br />
The cOllfiglllation of <strong>the</strong> <strong>pteric</strong> l'egion can be <strong>in</strong>flllenced by <strong>the</strong><br />
nurnber, fOl'm, extension <strong>and</strong> situation of tüe ptel'ic <strong>bones</strong>.<br />
1) Zcitschr. f. physik. Chem. 30, 623 (1899).<br />
2) Ann. d. Pltysik 42, 889 (1913).<br />
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635<br />
Au exam<strong>in</strong>ation of tlle Sklllls of papuans, brollght home by tlle<br />
LORl!.N'l'Z' expedition from Dlltch 8011tl1 New-Gll<strong>in</strong>ea, augmented with<br />
a number of papuan skll11s, sent fo me by <strong>the</strong> military-surgeon<br />
DE KOOK from <strong>the</strong> same dist!'iet, sl10wed snch l'elations <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pteric</strong><br />
reg ion , that made a closer exam<strong>in</strong>ation necessary.<br />
A study of <strong>the</strong> concel'n<strong>in</strong>g literatlll'e teaches, that <strong>the</strong> different<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestigations on <strong>the</strong> pl'oe. fl'ontalis as weil as on <strong>the</strong> <strong>pteric</strong> <strong>bones</strong><br />
al'e ne~rIy all of a statistieal nature, <strong>and</strong> do ]10t reek on with <strong>the</strong><br />
condition of <strong>the</strong> two opposite siges of <strong>the</strong> same sknll. As a consequenee<br />
of this way of <strong>in</strong>vestigation, <strong>the</strong> different forms of p)'ocesslls<br />
fi'ontalis are alv.'ays expla<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same way. <strong>On</strong>ly GRUBER 1)<br />
mentions two forms of a fronto-temporaI SlltUl'C.<br />
'l'he exam<strong>in</strong>ation of 114 papllan slmlI'3 drew my attention to three<br />
qllestions, viz. 1 that se, eral forms of proc. fl'ontalis must be discEll'lled.<br />
2 that 1'01' <strong>the</strong> judg<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> character of a pl'oeessus fl'ontalis<br />
<strong>the</strong> two opposite sides of <strong>the</strong> same <strong>skull</strong> must ue mutually<br />
eOf1lpal'ed <strong>and</strong> 3 that <strong>the</strong> pl'oeessus fi'ontalis <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> ptel'ic bOlles<br />
must be eompal'ed with each o<strong>the</strong>1'.<br />
Regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> first po<strong>in</strong>t I obs0rve that tvvo forms of proc. frontalis<br />
ossis temporalis must be dist<strong>in</strong>gllished. I eaU <strong>the</strong>se two forms of<br />
proc~ frontalis type I <strong>and</strong> type Il.<br />
Type I shows a project<strong>in</strong>g part at <strong>the</strong> upper border of fhe squama<br />
temporalis, as is seen <strong>in</strong> figul'e :I. By pl'olongil1g <strong>the</strong> Sllture between<br />
temporale <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> alisphenoid <strong>in</strong> upward dil'eetion, as is done <strong>in</strong><br />
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.<br />
1) GRUBER W.Über die Vel'b<strong>in</strong>dung der SchJäfellbeillschuppe mit dem Stirnbe<strong>in</strong>e. 1874.<br />
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636<br />
figlll'e 1 by a clotted l<strong>in</strong>e, it lOt\el!cs tbe parietal (vide figure f).<br />
This is GIWBER'S "mittelbal'e Verb<strong>in</strong>dllng". Type H shows aregutal'<br />
enlargement of <strong>the</strong> whole squamosal <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> direction of <strong>the</strong>-fl'ontal,<br />
so, that a fronto-temporal sllture is for121ed. This is GIWBEU'S "1l111nittelbare<br />
Vel'b<strong>in</strong>dllng". J .illnction of <strong>the</strong> serond type ('an be comb<strong>in</strong>ecl<br />
with a fronta1 process of <strong>the</strong> th'st type.<br />
The number of exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>skull</strong>s is 114; Ü\ 47 1 fOlll\d a frol\t9-<br />
temporal suture i. e. <strong>in</strong> 41,14 %'<br />
The skllih. of tbe lwo dIifel'Ant klJlds are divided as follows.<br />
In 34 cases we have a frolltal pl'ocess of <strong>the</strong> th'st tJ pe._ In 13<br />
cases <strong>the</strong> two sides of <strong>the</strong> &kllil are s,vmmetl'ical. In 21 <strong>the</strong> fi'onLal<br />
pl'ocess is onl)' pL'osent at olle side. 5 of <strong>the</strong> 13 simlis with eymme·<br />
tl'ical fl'ontal pl'ocess show a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of tlw fil'st <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> second<br />
type, so that fl'om tbe fiJ'st' type 8 are fOllnd with <strong>the</strong> fl'ontal process<br />
on both sides, to 21 witll <strong>the</strong> front. proc. on one side; which Lllcans<br />
that <strong>the</strong> unilateral pl'esence is mllch 11101'e fl'equen t than <strong>the</strong> bilatel'al.<br />
In 13 <strong>skull</strong>s <strong>the</strong> serond type ,,.,as fOllnd. Of 110 less than 12 <strong>skull</strong>&<br />
<strong>the</strong> two sides were symmetria.l anel ün1y ollce I fOllIlcl a llnilatel'al<br />
enlargement of tlJe s'luamosal, which proves that 1 he bilateml pl'esence<br />
is ffillCli more frequent thall <strong>the</strong> llnilatel'al.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> unilatel'al pl'esence of a frontal process of <strong>the</strong> fiL'st. type<br />
I fOllnd ihis process 13 times on <strong>the</strong> left sicle of <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />
6 times on lhe l'ight one j so <strong>the</strong> left half of tile <strong>skull</strong> sl1l'passes<br />
stl'ongly <strong>the</strong> l'ight one <strong>in</strong> tbis respect.<br />
An <strong>in</strong>vestigntion of <strong>the</strong> ptel'ic l'egion of tbe side of <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong><br />
opposite to a frontal pt'ocess of <strong>the</strong> fil'&t type led to <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
facIs:<br />
1. Pl'ocessus frontaJis at <strong>the</strong> 1eft side.<br />
A spheno-pal'ietal sutUl'e at tbe l'ight sicle <strong>in</strong> 6 <strong>skull</strong>s.<br />
An os epiptel'icum typicum "<br />
" " " 3 "<br />
Several ossa epiptel'ica ,.<br />
" " " " 1 <strong>skull</strong>.<br />
A tempol'al pl'Oc. at tbe fl'ontal<br />
" " " " 1 "<br />
Il, Pl'OCe&SllS fl'ontalis + os epi<strong>pteric</strong>um at <strong>the</strong> left side.<br />
An os epiptel'icum-typicum at <strong>the</strong> l'i~ht side <strong>in</strong> 2 sknlls.<br />
IJ Pl'ocessus fl'ontalis at tbe l'iglIt side.<br />
A spheno-pal'ietal sllture at <strong>the</strong> left side <strong>in</strong> 2 <strong>skull</strong>s.<br />
Au os epi<strong>pteric</strong>ulU typicum" " " " ,,2 "<br />
Sevêral ossa epiptel'ictl, "" " " " 2<br />
A spheno-parietal sllture is mostly fOllncl at <strong>the</strong> sicle opposite to<br />
<strong>the</strong> fL'ontal pl'ocess '(<strong>in</strong> 8 of 19 cases). This sutUl'e is not always<br />
situatecl <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same place. U sually iL lies at <strong>the</strong> level of <strong>the</strong> su tura<br />
j<br />
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637<br />
sqnamosa, 80 that <strong>the</strong> l'egion of <strong>the</strong> fl'ontal process is <strong>in</strong>c1uded <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> alisphenoïd.<br />
Sometimes <strong>the</strong> spheno-parieta1 sutUl'e lies at <strong>the</strong> le\'el of <strong>the</strong> 10we1'<br />
border of <strong>the</strong> frontal process; so that <strong>the</strong> region of this process is<br />
iocl uded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> parietaJ. Tbe region of tbe frontal pl'ocess of Olle<br />
side cao be <strong>in</strong>cillded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> frontal, as is pl'oved by a <strong>skull</strong>, which<br />
pJ'esents at <strong>the</strong> 1eft side a ti'ontal procesfl of <strong>the</strong> tempo ral <strong>and</strong> at<br />
<strong>the</strong> right side a symmetrical temporal process of <strong>the</strong> frontal.<br />
If at <strong>the</strong> side opposite to <strong>the</strong> frontal process one Ol' more ossa<br />
epiptel'ica are found, <strong>the</strong> situation c<strong>and</strong> extension of <strong>the</strong>se <strong>bones</strong> are<br />
equal Jo those of <strong>the</strong> ti'ontal process.<br />
We f<strong>in</strong>d o<strong>the</strong>r relations <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong>s with frontal proces sus of <strong>the</strong><br />
second type. Here <strong>the</strong> enlal'gemeu't of <strong>the</strong> squamosal is nearly always<br />
absolutely sJ mmetrical.<br />
<strong>On</strong>ly once did I f<strong>in</strong>d a second type of fl'ontal procees at one side<br />
<strong>and</strong> an ós epi<strong>pteric</strong>um typicum at <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>l' one.<br />
I suppose th at <strong>the</strong> question aftel' genesis <strong>and</strong> significance of <strong>the</strong><br />
above mentioned two (ypes of ti'ontal processus must be answel'ed<br />
as follows.<br />
The proc. fi'ontalis of <strong>the</strong> first type is to be considereà as <strong>the</strong><br />
homologon of an os epiptel'icUlll typicum. Follow<strong>in</strong>g arguments led<br />
me to this op<strong>in</strong>ion.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> fil'st place it is possible that <strong>the</strong> l'egion of a unilatel'al<br />
proc. - frontalis can be <strong>in</strong>cluded at <strong>the</strong> opposite side <strong>in</strong> one of <strong>the</strong><br />
surl'ound<strong>in</strong>g bon es (sphenoid, f1' on tal, parietai),<br />
In <strong>the</strong> second place it must be remembered that <strong>the</strong> ossa epi<strong>pteric</strong>a,<br />
which are pl'esent at <strong>the</strong> side opposite to <strong>the</strong> frontal process, COl'respvnd<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir extension <strong>and</strong> sitnation to this process.<br />
When we f<strong>in</strong>d a frontal process toge<strong>the</strong>r with all os epipte~<br />
ricum at <strong>the</strong> opposite side, <strong>the</strong>se two cOl'l'espoJld with <strong>the</strong> fl'ontal<br />
pl'ocess: .<br />
At last I have to mention <strong>the</strong> great val'iability <strong>in</strong> form <strong>and</strong><br />
extension of <strong>the</strong> proc. ft·ontalis. As 1 wil! expla<strong>in</strong> flll'<strong>the</strong>l' on, we<br />
can i<strong>in</strong>d tha'! <strong>in</strong> a <strong>skull</strong> with a, unilatel'al os epiptel'icum Ol' ossa<br />
epiptel'Ïca <strong>the</strong> opposite side SilOWS tbe same conditions as <strong>in</strong> a Skllll<br />
with a unilateral processns ft'outalis of <strong>the</strong> th'st type.<br />
The fl'ontal pl'ocess of <strong>the</strong> secol1l1 type, <strong>the</strong> enlargement of <strong>the</strong><br />
whole squamosal, conld be clue to two canses. In <strong>the</strong> first place we<br />
can suppose that met'ely an enlargement of <strong>the</strong> sqllamosal is cause<br />
of <strong>the</strong> exclusion of <strong>the</strong> alisphenoid from <strong>the</strong> frontal, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> sepond<br />
plaC'e we can imag<strong>in</strong>e tlmt this enhwgement is due to <strong>the</strong> opposition<br />
(v Ihe squamosal of that part of <strong>the</strong> alisphenoicl which is not<br />
41<br />
Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs Hoyal Acad. Amslerdam. Vol. XVI.<br />
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Ba8<br />
èartilag<strong>in</strong>eons pl'efol'med, viz. <strong>the</strong> os jntel'temporale ti'om RANKE 1).<br />
Pel'haps both ways of enJa,l'gement of <strong>the</strong> temporal <strong>in</strong> forward<br />
direction occur; only ontogenetical <strong>and</strong> compal'ative anatomical<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestigations could make out this question.<br />
Ossa epipte1 o ica.<br />
I have brought <strong>the</strong> 08sa epiptel'ÏL'a to <strong>the</strong> fol1ow<strong>in</strong>g types.<br />
1. Os epi<strong>pteric</strong>nm border<strong>in</strong>g to fonr <strong>bones</strong> (fl'ontal, parietal,<br />
temporal, alisphenoid): os epiptel'icum typicum.<br />
Î;<br />
U. Os epiptel'icum, border<strong>in</strong>g ro thl'ee <strong>bones</strong>.<br />
a: fl'ontal, parietal, alü;phenoid: os epipt. anterius.<br />
b: parietal, temporal, alisphelloid: os epipt. poster<strong>in</strong>s<br />
c: fl'<strong>On</strong>tal, parietal, temporal : os epipt. supel'ius<br />
cl: frontal, tempora!, alisphenoid: os epipt. <strong>in</strong>fer<strong>in</strong>s.<br />
lIl. Os epi<strong>pteric</strong>um, border<strong>in</strong>g to two <strong>bones</strong>; i. e. present<strong>in</strong>g itself<br />
as a sutural bone.<br />
IV. Sevel'al ossa epi<strong>pteric</strong>a.<br />
Thirty times I found an os epiptel'icnm typicnm<br />
In<br />
4 slmlIs on both si des<br />
,,15 " "<strong>the</strong> right side<br />
,,11 " "<strong>the</strong> left side.<br />
If an os epiptel'icnm typicuID is present on both sides of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>skull</strong>, <strong>the</strong> two bon es are sjmmeteical <strong>in</strong> situation <strong>and</strong> extension.<br />
If an os epi<strong>pteric</strong>um is only present at Olle side of <strong>the</strong> skuJl we<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d, when exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side of <strong>the</strong> same skuJl <strong>the</strong> foIlow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
caseB:<br />
1. Os epi<strong>pteric</strong>nm typicum at <strong>the</strong> right side<br />
a frontal process<br />
a spheno-parietal sutUl'e "<br />
a frontal proce5s <strong>and</strong> an os epiptel'icum "<br />
Sevel'al ossa epi<strong>pteric</strong>a<br />
H. Os epi<strong>pteric</strong>um at <strong>the</strong> left side<br />
a frontal process<br />
at <strong>the</strong> left side <strong>in</strong> 4:' <strong>skull</strong>s.<br />
" " ,. ,,5 ,)<br />
" " " ,,3 "<br />
" " " " " 2 "<br />
at <strong>the</strong> right side <strong>in</strong> 2 <strong>skull</strong>s.<br />
a spheno-parietal suture" " " ,," 6 "<br />
Several ossa epi<strong>pteric</strong>a " " " "" 1 "<br />
This survey proves that <strong>the</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong>, opposite to nn os<br />
1) RANKC. J. Uebet, den Stirnfortsalz del' Schliifenschuppe bei den Pl'Ïmaten,<br />
Sltzungsbel'. bayl'. Aknd. d. Wissensch 1898.<br />
- 6 -
639<br />
epÎptel'iCllm typicllm can show just <strong>the</strong> same condition as a sÎtllllwith<br />
a nnilateral processus fl'ontalis of Lhe first type.<br />
That <strong>in</strong> case of a uni1atel'a,l os epiptel'icllm typiCllID <strong>the</strong> l'ight<br />
side is predom<strong>in</strong>ant to t!Je left one is dne to <strong>the</strong> predom<strong>in</strong>ance of<br />
<strong>the</strong> fl'ontal pl'ocess of <strong>the</strong> first type on <strong>the</strong> 1eft side.<br />
If at <strong>the</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> <strong>skull</strong>, opposite to an os epiptel'icum typicmn<br />
a spheno-parietal sllture is fOllnd, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> same 1'ules hold for <strong>the</strong><br />
situation of this suture as by a unilateral frontal processj that part<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Skllll that lies symmetl'ical to <strong>the</strong> ptel'Ïc bone can be <strong>in</strong>clllded<br />
as weIl <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> aJisphenoid as <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> frontal Ol' pal'ietal bone.<br />
n. I fOllnd an os epi<strong>pteric</strong>um of <strong>the</strong> second type <strong>in</strong> 7 <strong>skull</strong>s; <strong>in</strong><br />
one on both sides anel symmetl'ical, <strong>in</strong> 5 on <strong>the</strong> l'ight <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> one<br />
on <strong>the</strong> left side. This <strong>pteric</strong> bone was always comb<strong>in</strong>ed with a<br />
fl'ontal process of <strong>the</strong> fb'st type. Fol' <strong>the</strong> composition of <strong>the</strong> ptel'ic<br />
region of tbe opposite side of <strong>the</strong> Skllll <strong>in</strong> a llnilateral OCCl1l'l'ence<br />
of such a <strong>pteric</strong> bone can be referred (0 <strong>the</strong> description of <strong>the</strong><br />
frontal process.<br />
lIl. An os epiptel'icum of this type I fOllnd only ollee <strong>in</strong> a <strong>skull</strong><br />
as a little sutllral bOlle <strong>in</strong> a fronto-temporal slltl1l'e.<br />
IV. Sevel'al oss a epi<strong>pteric</strong>a I observed <strong>in</strong> 4 sknlls; ahvays hvo<br />
bone-pieces were present. In ::3 slmlIs <strong>the</strong>y were on <strong>the</strong> l'ight j m one<br />
on <strong>the</strong> left side.<br />
Fol' tbe behaviollr of <strong>the</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> simIIs opposite to those<br />
wiÓ1 two <strong>pteric</strong> bon es, I refel' to <strong>the</strong> descriptions befol'e mentioneel.<br />
All <strong>in</strong> all I fOllnd ptel'ic <strong>bones</strong> <strong>in</strong> 42 &knlls, or 36.8 % that is<br />
to say <strong>in</strong> 5 on both sides, <strong>in</strong> 23 on <strong>the</strong> l'ight <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> 14 skuUs<br />
on <strong>the</strong> left side.<br />
This enumel'ation pl'oves that <strong>pteric</strong> bOlles are more of ten fOUlld<br />
on <strong>the</strong> l'ight than on <strong>the</strong> left side, on <strong>the</strong> eontraiT <strong>the</strong> fusion of<br />
<strong>the</strong> bone pieces <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>pteric</strong> region with one of <strong>the</strong> surl'ound<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>bones</strong>, specially <strong>the</strong> squamosal, happens more fl'equently on <strong>the</strong> left<br />
than on <strong>the</strong> right side.<br />
It is impossible to deeide by this stud)' <strong>the</strong> mean<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>pteric</strong> <strong>bones</strong>.<br />
The frequent occurrence of <strong>the</strong>se separate bone.pieces <strong>in</strong> papuan~<br />
simIIs is not favourable for RANKJi]'S <strong>the</strong>ory, say<strong>in</strong>g' <strong>the</strong>y ought to<br />
be eonsidered pathologica1.<br />
<strong>On</strong>togenetical <strong>and</strong> comparative anatolllical researches will be<br />
necessary to expla<strong>in</strong> this question of <strong>the</strong> anatomy of <strong>human</strong> <strong>skull</strong>.<br />
41*<br />
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