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Dimensional, Geometrical, and Physical Constraints in Skull Growth

Johannes Weickenmeier, Cedric Fischer, Dennis Carter, Ellen Kuhl, and Alain Goriely
Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 248101 – Published 16 June 2017
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Abstract

After birth, the skull grows and remodels in close synchrony with the brain to allow for an increase in intracranial volume. Increase in skull area is provided primarily by bone accretion at the sutures. Additional remodeling, to allow for a change in curvatures, occurs by resorption on the inner surface of the bone plates and accretion on their outer surfaces. When a suture fuses too early, normal skull growth is disrupted, leading to a deformed final skull shape. The leading theory assumes that the main stimulus for skull growth is provided by mechanical stresses. Based on these ideas, we first discuss the dimensional, geometrical, and kinematic synchrony between brain, skull, and suture growth. Second, we present two mechanical models for skull growth that account for growth at the sutures and explain the various observed dysmorphologies. These models demonstrate the particular role of physical and geometrical constraints taking place in skull growth.

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  • Received 30 January 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.248101

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

  1. Physical Systems
Physics of Living Systems

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Physical Model of Skull Growth

Published 16 June 2017

A model predicts skull growth patterns based on mechanical effects, rather than biology, and could help surgeons treating patients with head growth problems.

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Authors & Affiliations

Johannes Weickenmeier1, Cedric Fischer1,2, Dennis Carter1, Ellen Kuhl1, and Alain Goriely3

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
  • 2Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 3Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 118, Iss. 24 — 16 June 2017

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