Original paper
Postnatal changes of the human bony labyrinth morphology
Bonczarowska, Joanna Helena; Spanakis, Konstantinos; Kranioti, Elena F.
HOMO Volume 72 No 3 (2021), p. 229 - 238
published: Sep 28, 2021
published online: Jul 14, 2021
manuscript accepted: May 15, 2021
manuscript revision received: Apr 29, 2021
manuscript revision requested: Mar 15, 2021
manuscript received: Sep 20, 2020
ArtNo. ESP139007203004, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
It has been suggested that the inner ear attains its final morphology already in utero and that environmental factors do not influence its size or shape after birth. Thus, direct comparison between the adult and the subadult bony labyrinths can be made. Herein, this hypothesis was tested in a sample of 170 subadult individuals. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the labyrinths were created for 170 French and Greek juveniles. Ten linear measurements of the 3D models were taken and the labyrinthine shape was evaluated by calculating 10 shape indices. All variables were subsequently analyzed in the context of postnatal development. Significant positive correlation between the chronological age and several variables was noted suggesting that age-related changes of the bony labyrinth occur in the postnatal period. Our findings contradict the simplified assumption that the bony labyrinth retains a stable morphology after birth. Further research should concentrate on evaluating postnatal changes to the temporal bone and their influence on the labyrinthine morphology.
Keywords
human bony labyrinth • postnatal development • inner ear • subadults