Download Frontal Bone Development and the Relationship of the Glabella to

INSTITUTE FOR XENOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES: THE
XENOARCHAEOLOGIST
 03/11/2000 by David Klingman
Star Trek; Star Trek: The Nex t Generation; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Star Trek: Voyager; STARFLEET all
© Paramount, a VIACOM company. STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc., a not-forprofit corporation in the state of NC, is not connected with Paramount, VIACO M, or Star Trek: The Official
Frontal Bone Development and the Relationship of the Glabella to the Naso-Orbital Complex
The architecture of the frontal bone [i.e. the forehead] and the development of forehead characteristics and anatomy is such that there is a wide variety of physical characteristics
among humanoid species in the relationship of the frontal bone to the naso-orbital complex.
The naso-orbital complex [i.e. the structure of the nose and eyes] is created physically by the anatomy of several bones in most humanoid species: The inferior border of the orbit
[i.e. eye socket] is created by the maxillary bone [upper jawbone] which contains the significant structure of the infraorbital foramen, through which passes the nerve bundle that
supplies sensory input to the midface and also contains muscle attachments connecting the globe of the eye [i.e. the eyeball] to the maxilla, which allows for free movement of the
globe. The paired [left and right] maxillae also contain the maxillary sinuses [air cells] which provide buoyancy for the skull. The medial [midline] structures of the orbit and nose are
composed of a number of bones - the paired [left and right] nasal bones, joined by a midline suture [seam] which make up the anatomic 'bridge' of the nose and the bony aspect of
the nasal septum; the nasal cartilage which makes up the soft part of the tip of the nose and part of the forward aspect of the nasal septum; the paired left and right paper-thin
ethmoid bones which contain the ethmoid air cells that aid in the buoyancy characteristics of the skull; the [paired left and right] lacrimal and [single] sphenoid bones which make up
portions of the medial aspects of the orbit and to which are attached some of the ocular muscles which allow for movement of the globe, within the lacrimal bone are also anatomic
attachments for the lacrimal duct which [in species that produce tears] allow for the drainage of tears from the lacrimal gland into the chamber of the nose, and within the sphenoid
bone is the single midline sphenoid sinus [another of the air cells that aid in the buoyant characteristics of the skull], behind this sphenoid sinus are some of the vital structures of
the internal aspect of the skull, including the pituitary gland and the optic [visual] and olfactory [smell] connections to the brain. The superior aspects of the nose and orbit are
bounded finally from above by the paired frontal bones which fuse early in childhood to create a single frontal bone whose prominent aspect, called the glabella, forms the surface
structure covering the single, paired, or multiple frontal sinus(es) located just above the bridge of the nose. The frontal bone also contains the anatomic structure of the supraorbital
foramen located above the approximate center of the orbit [usually below the brow] through which passes the nerve bundle which supplies sensory input to the forehead. Muscle
attachments to the frontal bone from the superior aspect of the globe of the eye allow for ocular movements.
The characteristics of the glabella and frontal bone in particular demonstrate a wide variety of form, function, and physiology among humanoid species and contain [in general] the
following structures and their physiologic function(s):
• olfactory sensation [i.e. the sense of smell]
• ocular movement and [in most cases] the physiologic characteristics of stereoscopic [3-dimensional] vision and coherent left-right eye movement [though some humanoid
species are capable of independent left/right eye movements]
• buoyancy characteristics maintained by the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary sinuses]
• lacrimal production in most species [i.e. the production and drainage of tears which lubricate the globe of the eye]
• physical protection, of course, for vital structures in and behind the nose and eyes and within the cranial cavity
The glabella, the prominence of the forehead above the bridge of the nose [and in many cases the bridge of the nose itself] demonstrates many physical characteristics, ranging from
the relatively flat forehead of Homo sapiens sapiens terraensis [Human] to the robust ridges of Home sapiens sapiens q'onoensis [Klingon] to the ridged nasal characteristic of
Homo sapiens sapiens bajorensis [Bajoran] and so forth.
Generally, there are three major character forms for glabellar development:
• flat surface glabella, seen in species such as Humans
• extrovert or convex glabella [i.e. a protruding forehead form such as a ridge, knob, horn, or the like], seen in species such as Klingons
•
introvert or concave glabella [i.e. a depression, crease, crevasse, sometimes seen as a 'spoon' shape or 'crater' form], seen in species such as Cardassians
Analysis of known humanoid species has determined that glabellar development falls physiologically into the following categories:
• air cell modification, communication, and anatomy
• olfactory extension and modification
• sexual monomorphism, dimorphism, and polymorphism
• frontal lobe brain development and modification of skull characteristic
We examine a number of species as examples of each physiological characteristic.
Air cell modification: Homo sapiens sapiens terraensis [Human]
Among humans, frontal lobe characteristics and glabellar development is anatomically unremarkable, the result of evolutionary changes [from earlier protohuman forms such as
Neanderthals, Cro-Magnon, and earlier forms] whereby there has actually been a loss of glabellar and forehead characteristic and the internal development of more anatomically
distinct air cell characteristics. Interestingly, all four groups of air cells [frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary] communicate in the Human species with the external environment
through the internal aspects of the nasal cavity, allowing for free exchange of air and moisture with the external environment and development of a complex sensory interpretation of
smell [although the Human species does not have the most physically robust sense of smell, it has been shown that the Human species does have the among the most complex
connections of memory, emotion, and intellectual understanding and interpretation of smell].
The Human species among all others has developed among the most complex anatomy of air cells/sinuses, providing buoyancy to the skull and allowing the Human species to be
among the most versatile and adaptable due to its generally light body structures. Statistically, the Human species has as a result occupied more physical environments than any
other humanoid species known.
Olfactory extension: Homo sapiens sapiens bajorensis [Bajoran]
The characteristic of the Bajoran nose, i.e. the ridged bridge, has been shown to be a direct extension of their olfactory apparatus. In Humans, surface area for sensory input on the
internal aspect of the nasal cavity is increased by the anatomic structures of the nasal 'conchae' which are extensions of the bones of the nose that form 'steps' allowing for greater
surface area of the mucus membranes inside the nose [these mucus membranes, i.e. the moist skin inside the nose, allow the nose to be continually moistened and also allow for
aerosolized particles and airborne chemicals to interact in the development of smell sensation and interpretation]. Among Bajorans, the surface area extension to the face, in the form
of these nasal ridges, also for enhanced smell perception, working like gills, allowing for the passage of air into the superior aspects of the internal nasal cavity. Under each of the
[on average, 5 to 9] ridges, moist mucus membranes allow for the dissolved chemicals in the air to interact with nerve endings and these signals are then sent to the brain where they
are interpreted.
Sexual characteristics: Homo sapiens sapiens q'onoensis [Klingon]
The pronounced forehead ridges seen in Klingons serve, in fact three major functions:
• physical protection for the cranial cavity
• spinal column anatomy and extension
• sexual character
The Klingons in general are considered 'robust' humanoids - that is, they are physically more profound than most other humanoid species developed from common genetic stock,
and as such the physical demands placed upon them both environmentally and through social and psychological development have afforded them the development of what are
considered the robust characteristics:
A pronounced spinal column, including the addition of 'cranial vertebrae' which are anatomically extensions of the bones of the skull [the frontal, parietal, and occipital] but which,
like the vertebrae of the neck and back [i.e. cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal] are points for muscle attachments that are responsible for posture, body alignment, and
such. Two significant instances of divergence of form occur between Humans and Klingons in this aspect:
• Human cranial development from infancy is based upon skull expansion largely from the midline structures [i.e. midline sutures or seams and non-hardened 'fontanels of
infancy] whereas Klingon cranial development occurs through expansion of the skull from points located laterally and posteriorly behind the ears
• Human and Klingon spinal development differs in that Klingons lack the coccygeal vertebrae [i.e. tailbones] whose remnants are still seen in Humans but they are
characterized the 'cranial' vertebrae that are presented physically as the forehead ridges which are so prominent. These ridges are, in fact, not true vertebrae, as they are
actual extensions of the bones of the skull [comparable, however, to the extensions of the vertebrae of the back to which are attached the back muscles] - Klingons have a
much more robust spinal column and head connection, and lack the multiple air cells seen in Humans; head alignment is more heavily dependent upon musculature and
skeletal development [interestingly, a similar development of neck musculature is seen among Cardassians]
Sexual character is thought to be a secondary but nevertheless equally important aspect of the Klingon skull development - the ridges and well-developed skull character is known
to provide protection during highly physical mating rituals among Klingons, and in addition serves as a physical attractant to members of the opposite gender. Polymorphism in the
ridge characteristics of Klingon anatomy has been a topic of much debate and controversy - certainly, there is no known evolutionary advantage among Klingons to what has been
rare flat-glabella anatomy; however, individuals have been known to exist with minimal development of skeletal form [most notable among these was General Chang, who is most
famous for his involvement in the death of Chancellor Gorkon in the late 23rd century] and there have been notable attempts to genetically alter Klingon anatomy to forms more
similar to other humanoid species [a topic which has been deemed socially taboo among Klingons and will not be pursued here]
Frontal lobe development: Homo sapiens sapiens ferengensis [Ferengi]
Two species come to mind relating to the topic of glabella and frontal lobe development secondary to brain development - the Ferengi and Dopterians. Both species are
characterized by significant frontal lobe development of the brain [the frontal lobes are most directly responsible for memory, sensory and emotional interpretation, personality traits,
and mood and emotion]
We know now that the pronounced frontal characteristics of both the Ferengi and Dopterians [and other species like them] are the direct result of form following function and brain
development and in the case of both species, the importance of frontal lobe development to their psychological and intellectual characteristics and personalities as individuals is
directly responsible for the robust 'bulbous' forehead anatomy seen in both species
With the number of humanoid species encountered it becomes more and more appropriate to understand both the physical and social characteristics of the numerous species whose
ideologies and psychology may differ. Physiological explanations of anatomy and form and function serve as significant aids in understanding how perhaps seemingly dissimilar
species may have developed along similar environmental and social pressures.
The curiosity of how so many humanoid species, so similar in physical form and function [i.e. bipedalism, skeletal alignment, upright posture and so forth], can differ so greatly in
what seems on the surface to be nothing more than different head shapes and forehead characteristics, may perhaps be better understood and appreciated through a better
understanding of these physiologic characteristics discussed.