Incidence, number and laterality of epipteric bones in the pterion in dry human skulls of south india

Aim: To estimate and analyze the presence, number, incidence and laterality of epipteric bones in the region of pterion in dry human skulls of South India.
Objective: To evaluate the relative frequency of occurrence, number and laterality of epipteric bones of the pterion on examining dry human skulls and to analyze its variability in different populations.
Background: The floor of the temporal fossa is formed by the frontal bone, parietal bone, greater wing of the sphenoid and the squamous part of the temporal bone. All four bones meet on each side at an H-shaped junction of sutures termed the ‘pterion’. Epipteric bones are small irregular bones developing at the site of pterion because of additional ossification centers. Its presence is important for anthropologists, radiologists and neurosurgeons.
Reason: The number and incidence of epipteric bone are of much interest to anthropologists. The presence of epipteric bones provides false impression of fractures or fractures may be misinterpreted as epipteric bones on examining cranial radiographs. The knowledge of epipteric bones are important to fix the site in burr hole surgeries for neurosurgeons.