Postnatal growth of the cranial base in Macaca nemestrina

Abstract

Postnatal growth of the cranial base was longitudinally studied in 21 male and 11 female Macaca nemestrina. The basicranium of each animal was marked with tantulum implants in order that the tracings of each serial roentgenogram could be superimposed. Between the ages of 3.0 and 5.0 years the degree of sexual demorphism in both angular and linear dimensions increased. The cranial base flattened as a result of the upward and forward migration of nasion and the upward and backward relocation of basion. The movement of basion was primarily due to differential growth recorded at the spheno-occipital synchondrosis. Sexual difference in the relative growth of this synchondrosis resulted in a longer and somewhat flatter male cranial base. Male and female velocity curves showed accelerations that coincide with their estimated age for the onset of puberty.