Morphological variation in the circum-nasal region of modern human

doi:10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0029

Abstract

Abstract:

Morphologies of the circum-nasal region in modern human populations exhibit different patterns and are closely related to climate and environment. However, the full scope of morphological variation is unclear, especially given the lack of well-defined standards, including homologous landmarks for morphological data collection and analysis of this region. In this study, 154 crania of Caucasian, African and North Chinese populations were observed and measured. Results revealed pronounced population-specific patterns in morphologies of the circum-nasal region. The African population was characterized by a low and broad piriform aperture with a blunt margin, weak anterior nasal spine, and a pronounced sub-nasal fossa. In contrast, the nasal region of the Caucasian population was characterized by a high and narrow piriform aperture with a sharp margin, a well-developed anterior nasal spine, and a weak or absent sub-nasal fossa. The pattern characterizing the North Chinese population was intermediate between the Caucasian and African populations, but more closely resembled the Caucasian in trait-by-trait expressions.

Previous studies have found that piriform aperture morphology in various modern human populations from the past 10,000 years exhibits chronological changes and inter-population differences. For example, it is noteworthy that Neolithic populations from the middle Yellow River regions exhibit a broad piriform aperture. Due to the lack of comprehensive information during data collection and analysis, many aspects of the morphological pattern and extent of variation in the circum-nasal region from present-day Chinese are still not clear.

Future investigation of the morphological patterns characterizing the circum-nasal region of Holocene populations found in China will provide essential context for understanding the formation and diversification of modern human populations in East Asia.

Key words: Piriform aperture, Alveolar, Nasal cavity, Morphology

CLC Number:

Q983

LIU Wu, HE Jianing, YAN Yi, ZHANG Ziliang, CHEN Yiying, WU Xiujie. Morphological variation in the circum-nasal region of modern human[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2023, 42(04): 445-457.

Figures/Tables 7

References 35

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特征features	美国白人American Caucasian	非洲人African Negro	华北人North Chinese
梨状孔形态morphology of nasal aperture	高狭窄，I=73.3	低矮宽阔，I=88.1	高狭窄，I=84.3
	下部最宽，f=53.8%	下部最宽，f=85.4%	下部最宽，f=59.4%
	中部最宽，f=46.2%	中部最宽，f=14.6%	中部最宽，f=40.6%
梨状孔边缘laternal nasal margin-lnm	锐利，f=84.6%	锐利，f=38.5%	锐利，f=53.2%
梨状孔边缘laternal nasal margin-lnm	圆钝，f=15.4%	圆钝，f=61.5%	圆钝，f=46.8%
鼻前棘anterior nasal spines-ans	显著，f=43.8%	显著，f=7.3%	显著，f=25.0%
	中等，f=42.2%	中等，f=22.0%	中等，f=40.6%
	微弱，f=14.0%	微弱，f=70.7%	微弱，f=34.4%
鼻下窝subnasal fossa-snf	显著，f=12.3%	显著，f=76.9%	显著，f=40.0%
鼻下窝subnasal fossa-snf	不显或缺如，f=87.7%	不显或缺如，f=23.1%	不显或缺如，f=60.0%

特征features	美国白人American Caucasian	非洲人African Negro	华北人North Chinese
梨状孔形态morphology of nasal aperture	高狭窄，I=73.3	低矮宽阔，I=88.1	高狭窄，I=84.3
	下部最宽，f=53.8%	下部最宽，f=85.4%	下部最宽，f=59.4%
	中部最宽，f=46.2%	中部最宽，f=14.6%	中部最宽，f=40.6%
梨状孔边缘laternal nasal margin-lnm	锐利，f=84.6%	锐利，f=38.5%	锐利，f=53.2%
梨状孔边缘laternal nasal margin-lnm	圆钝，f=15.4%	圆钝，f=61.5%	圆钝，f=46.8%
鼻前棘anterior nasal spines-ans	显著，f=43.8%	显著，f=7.3%	显著，f=25.0%
	中等，f=42.2%	中等，f=22.0%	中等，f=40.6%
	微弱，f=14.0%	微弱，f=70.7%	微弱，f=34.4%
鼻下窝subnasal fossa-snf	显著，f=12.3%	显著，f=76.9%	显著，f=40.0%
鼻下窝subnasal fossa-snf	不显或缺如，f=87.7%	不显或缺如，f=23.1%	不显或缺如，f=60.0%

性别sex	时代time period	华北NC		东北内蒙NE & IM		西北NW		新疆Xin		华南SC		西南SW
性别sex	时代time period	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n
男male	新石器	50.63	20	49.90	1	49.00	7			52.97	11	53.74	1
男male	青铜	51.45	10	49.75	4	48.94	8	48.64	5	50.60	1	53.46	1
	东周秦汉	49.71	15	48.13	19	49.67	7	47.21	4			53.03	3
	秦汉以后	50.37	7	49.34	2
	合计	50.49	52	48.54	26	49.19	22	48.00	9	52.77	12	53.26	5
女female	新石器	51.26	12	54.77	1	51.66	4			54.01	10	56.70	1
女female	青铜	52.67	8	51.50	3	51.18	8	50.28	4
	东周秦汉	52.39	8	50.73	13	52.54	6	47.95	4			51.27	3
	秦汉以后	51.01	7	50.47	1
	合计	51.79	35	51.07	18	51.74	18	49.12	8	54.01	10	52.63	4

性别sex	时代time period	华北NC		东北内蒙NE & IM		西北NW		新疆Xin		华南SC		西南SW
性别sex	时代time period	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n	均值_n	组数n
男male	新石器	50.63	20	49.90	1	49.00	7			52.97	11	53.74	1
男male	青铜	51.45	10	49.75	4	48.94	8	48.64	5	50.60	1	53.46	1
	东周秦汉	49.71	15	48.13	19	49.67	7	47.21	4			53.03	3
	秦汉以后	50.37	7	49.34	2
	合计	50.49	52	48.54	26	49.19	22	48.00	9	52.77	12	53.26	5
女female	新石器	51.26	12	54.77	1	51.66	4			54.01	10	56.70	1
女female	青铜	52.67	8	51.50	3	51.18	8	50.28	4
	东周秦汉	52.39	8	50.73	13	52.54	6	47.95	4			51.27	3
	秦汉以后	51.01	7	50.47	1
	合计	51.79	35	51.07	18	51.74	18	49.12	8	54.01	10	52.63	4