Summary
Purpose
Differences in skull-base angles between humans, other hominid species and apes might
account for the ability of humans to develop complex speech. This study compared midline
skull base angles, and angles related to insertion of skull base musculature between
these species.
Methods
126 human adult, 29 adolescent, 19 children, and 13 fetus skulls were compared to
32 ape and a subset of non-human antiquity hominid casts of skulls (13). Cranial base
measurements were taken using an eMicroscribe 3d G2 digitizer. Midline and muscle
insertion measurements were obtained.
Results
There were statistical differences in both the midline angles of the skull base (humans,
119o; apes, 130o) and in the Skull base angles related to points of muscle insertion (humans, 113o; apes, 124o), with humans exhibiting a more acute angle than the apes and other non-human hominids.
There were no differences between human adults and children
Conclusion
Acute angle differentiation of the midline skull base between humans and apes was
confirmed with an alternate measurement method. Whether these angular differences
are the primary reason for the lower position of the larynx in humans and the potential
for more complex speech is still in debate.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 16, 2022
Accepted:
June 14,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Presented at the 50th Anniversary Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice June 2 – June 6, 2021
Level of Evidence: Basic Science
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
