FINlTE ELEMENTAL METHOD IN CRANIOFACIAL DIFFERENTlATlON STUDIES.-

Authors

  • Hector M. Pucciarelli
  • Melvin L. Moss
  • Richard Skalak
  • L. Moss-Salentijn
  • K. Sen
  • Henning Vilmann

Keywords:

Biological anthropology, Skull,

Abstract

The object of the present study was: (a) to demonstrate that the Finite Elemental M'ethocl (FEM) is an useful way to perforo! studies on craniofacial growth and development, and (b) to incorporate FEM as an adequate method in studies of craniological anthropology, a's well as in other fields related to cephalo-facial development and its alterations. The outstanding feature of this methocl is that such stuclies may be done avoiding any type of arbitrary reference systems. This faet will allow to solve the main methodological eonstraint in eraniology, as ",ell as in all fields of biology in which eranial tracing constitutes a valid descriptive, comparative and analytical teehnique. As an example, a study performed on experimental Iaboratory rats is included, in whieh a cranial analysis by the FEM was performed.

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