Localization of pterion in neonatal cadavers: a morphometric study.
OBJECTIVE
Pterion is defined as a junction of temporal, frontal, parietal, and sphenoid bones. In newborns, pterion may be defined as a region that shows variability in the exact location because of the lack of complete bony structure. The aim of this study is to define the topographic anatomy of this important surgical point, pterion, and the variability of its localization on craniums of newborn cadavers.


METHODS
Our study was performed using 35 term neonatal cadaver specimens. We measured the distances between the pterion and other critical points and used a scale diagram for the definition of pterional area.


RESULTS
Our scale diagram showed that pterion is mostly localized in regions c, d, e, and f on the length and regions 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the width. Localization was not observed in regions a, b, g, and h, and in areas of squares 1 and 6. The most observed localization of pterion was the e4 (24.28%) area.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a detailed knowledge on localization of this important point, pterion, which will be useful for the clinicians at operation planning and treatment stages, serving for the success in surgery in the presence of this variable topographic cranial anatomy.
Aydin
Mennan Ece
ME
Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty of Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey. mepaydin@yahoo.com
Kopuz
Cem
C
Demir
Mehmet Tevfik
MT
Corumlu
Ufuk
U
Kaya
Ahmet Hilmi
AH
D002102:Cadaver; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D047929:Term Birth