Skip to main content
Log in

Supraorbital ridge and masticatory apparatus I: Primates

  • Published:
Human Evolution

Abstract

The supraorbital ridge formation in apes is a result of the traction of the masticatory force exerted by the anterior part of the temporalis muscle. This force varies inversely with the ratio of the power arm to the load arm of the mandible. The smaller this ratio, the greater the anterior part of the temporalis muscle and the larger the supraorbital ridge. The size of the ridge is independent of the actual size of the skull. The orang has a larger skull but the smallest brow ridge of the three species studied: gorilla, chimpanzee and orang. Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a positive correlation between the anterior temporalis muscle and the ridge as well as between the ridge/sinus and anterior/whole temporalis muscle. The correlation is negative between the power/load arms and anterior/whole muscle and also between the power/load arms and the ridge/sinus ratio.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Duterloo H. S. &Enlow D. H., 1970.A comparative study of cranial growth in Homo and Macaca. American Journal of Anatomy, 127: 357–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehara A. &Seiler R., 1970.Die struckturen der uberaugen region beiden primaten, deutungen und deffinitionen. Zeitschrift fur Morphologie und Anthropologie, 62: 1–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endo, B., 1965.Distribution of stress and strain produced in the human facial skeleton by masticatory force. Journal of the Anthropological Society of Nippon, 73: 123–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endo B., 1966.Experimental studies on the mechanical significance of the form of the human facial skeleton. Journal of the Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Section V, Anthropology, 3: 1–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Endo B., 1973.Stresses analysis on the facial skeleton of Gorilla by means of the wire strain gauge method. Primates, 14: 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enlow D. H. &McNamara R., 1973.The neurocranial basis for facial form and pattern. Angle Orthodontist, 43: 256–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gingerich P. D., 1979.The human mandible: lever, link, or both? American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 51: 135–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hylander W. L., 1975.The human mandible: lever or link? American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 43: 227–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moss M. L. &Young R. W., 1960.A functional approach to craniology. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 18: 281–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyen O. J., Rice R. W. &Cannon S. M., 1979.Browridge structure and function in extant primates and Neanderthals. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 51: 83–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyen O. J., Walker A. C. &Rice R. W., 1979.Craniofacial growth in olive baboons (P. anubis): browridge formation. Growth, 43: 174–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauwels F., 1980.Biomechanics of the Locomotor Apparatus. Trans. Maquet, P. & Furlong, R. Springer-Verlag.

  • Smith F. H. &Ranyard G. C., 1980.Evolution of the Supraorbital region in Upper Pleistocene hominids from south-central Europe. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 53: 589–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappen N. C., 1973.Structure of bone in the skulls of Neanderthal fossils. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 38: 93–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappen N. C., 1978.The vermiculate surface pattern of browridges in Neanderthal and modern crania. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 49: 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weidenreich F., 1941.The brain and its role in the phylogenetic transformation of the human skull. Transaction of the American Zoological Society (U.S.), 31: 321–442.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hilloowala, R.A., Trent, R.B. Supraorbital ridge and masticatory apparatus I: Primates. Hum. Evol. 3, 343–350 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02447216

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02447216

Key words

Navigation