Sulcal pattern variation in extant human endocasts. Issue 4 (17th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Jager, Edwin J.; van Schoor, Albert N.; Hoffman, Jakobus W.; Oettlé, Anna C.; Fonta, Caroline; Mescam, Muriel; Risser, Laurent; Beaudet, Amélie
• Is Part Of: Journal of anatomy. Volume 235:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 803
• Page End: 810
• Publication Date: 2019-06-17
• Subjects: brain cast -- cerebral variation -- human neuroanatomy -- palaeoneurology -- sulci detection; Anatomy -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1111/joa.13030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8782

Abstract

Abstract: Our knowledge of human brain evolution primarily relies on the interpretation of palaeoneurological evidence. In this context, an endocast or replica of the inside of the bony braincase can be used to reconstruct a timeline of cerebral changes that occurred during human evolution, including changes in topographic extension and structural organisation of cortical areas. These changes can be tracked by identifying cerebral imprints, particularly cortical sulci. The description of these crucial landmarks in fossil endocasts is, however, challenging. High‐resolution imaging techniques in palaeoneurology offer new opportunities for tracking detailed endocranial neural characteristics. In this study, we use high‐resolution imaging techniques to document the variation in extant human endocranial sulcal patterns for subsequent use as a platform for comparison with the fossil record. We selected 20 extant human crania from the Pretoria Bone Collection (University of Pretoria, South Africa), which were detailed using X‐ray microtomography at a spatial resolution ranging from 94 to 123 μm (isometric). We usedEndex to extract, andMatlab to analyse the cortical imprints on the endocasts. We consistently identified superior, middle and inferior sulci on the frontal lobe; and superior and inferior sulci on the temporal lobe. We were able to label sulci bordering critical functional areas such as Broca's cap. Mapping the sulcal patterns on extant endocasts is a prerequisite for constructing an atlas which can be used for automatic sulci recognition. Abstract : Using modern imaging technology we studied the extant human endocranial sulcal imprints. We were able to identify major sulci as well as sulci bordering crucial functional areas. Mapping the sulcal patterns on extant endocasts is a prerequisite for constructing an atlas which can be used for automatic sulci recognition.