Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 1993, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (01): 23-32.

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The application of shadow moire method to the research on the form of skull

Lu Qingwu, Zhang Zhenbiao, Jin Guanchang   

  • Online:1993-03-15 Published:1993-03-15

Abstract: In this article we inducted some structural types of moire topographies of skullsand their anatomic implications with different sexes and ages.
1. In the female and juvenile, the innermost ring of the moire fringes at the frontal--nasal region(abbreviated to "inner ring " in the following)is reverse triangular flask"in shape,and belongs to theopen type" . Their glabella(g) and nasion(n)lie in same contour plane. The bony surface of the nasion(n) is not concave.
In the male, the " inner ring" classified in the " close--type" is " reverse ladder--shaped". Its glabella(g) is closed within the "inner ring", but its nasion(n) is outside of the "inner ring". So that, there is a concavity at the bony surface of the nasion.
2. In the female, the superior moire fringes on the frontal usually present in the shape of the Greek letter "r", and the density is thin. It shows that its surface of frontal is steep and the frontal tubercles are pronounced.
In the male, the superior moire fringe on the frontal usually present in the shape of reverse letter "V", and its density is thick. It shows that its frontal surfaceis a little slope and the saggital crest develops well.
3. In the female and juvenile, the " inner ring" of moire topographies of the skulls viewed from lateral usually is oval in shape, which has marked different size at both ends. It shows that their parietal tubercles are evident. In the male skull viewed from lateral, its inner ring usually is elliptical in shape. It indicates that its parietal tubercles are not evident.
4. In order to use the shadow moire method to measure the lateral projecting degree of the zygomatic arch, we must establish a basic point" , which is intersected by the superior margin of the zygomatic arch and the posterior margin of the frontosphenoidal process of zygomatic bone. On the lateral surface of the zygomaticarch, and between the " basic point and zygion(zy), the number of longitudinal moire fringes are counted. The projecting degree of the zygomatic arch varies directly as the number of such moire fringes. F or example, there are 4 such fringeson the zygomatic arch of the male specimen,and 2 such fringes on that of the female specimen. It indicates that the zygomatic arch of male projects more laterallythan that of female.

Key words: Shadow moire method; Skull research