Morphological change of some cranial structures

2003 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 12640699
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: 人類学(含生理人類学)
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: KANAZAWA Eisaku Nihon University, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Professor, 松戸歯学部, 教授 (70050648)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): IGARASHI Yuriko Nihon University, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Lecturer (Full-Time), 松戸歯学部, 講師 (60277473) ; SASAKI Kayoko Nihon University, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Lecturer (Full-Time), 松戸歯学部, 講師 (80190114) ; KASAI Kazutaka Nihon University, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Professor, 松戸歯学部, 教授 (30169396) ; MATSUNO Masanobu Nihon University, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Lecturer (Full-Time), 松戸歯学部, 講師 (10297848)
• Project Period (FY): 2000 – 2003
• Keywords: CT / morphometrics / maxillary sinus / skull / secular trend / anthropology

Research Abstract

The research results obtained this year are as follows:
1. CT images of 47 modern female skulls were taken for comparison with male skulls which were already taken by previous studies.
2. CT images of 4 male skulls and 2 female skulls of Jomon period were taken. These skulls were not in good condition, but including maxillary sinus.
3. CT images of 6 male skulls and 4 female skulls of Kofun period were taken. These skulls were in good Condition with the maxillary sinus.
4. Skulls of Kamakura period were also examined in CT scanning. They were 2 male and 2 female skulls, respectively.
5. Skulls of Muromachi period were well preserved in good condition. They were 21 males and 10 female skulls.
6. CT images and the results of metric analysis obtained from above mentioned procedure were presented in the intermediate meeting of Frontier Project conducted by Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, February, 28, 2004.
7. Paleopathological approach for maxillary sinusitis in Kamakura period was also undertaken with the use of skulls preserved in St. Mariannn Medical University.
8. Volume of the maxillary sinus in Japanese were larger in modern period, but it was not significant. As for cranial measurement, maximum length and zygomatic arch width in Muromachi period were larger than modern Japanese. Because skulls of Jomon period were damaged and small in number, it is necessary to collect more CT images and metrical data from well preserved specimensin the future.