Human and Ape Skull differences

Sagittal Crest

Attachment site for temporal muscles used for chewing.

• associated with small braincase and powerful jaw

Apes: present

Humans: not present

Brow Ridge

Mass of bone over the eye sockets, supporting the upper facial skeleton against chewing forces.

Apes: prominent

Humans: internalized by outwardly expanded frontal bone

Foramen magnum

Large opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes

• position reflects the posture of the body and indirectly the pattern of movement

Apes: walk on their knuckles with their heads held forward

Humans: stand erect and walk with the head directly over the spinalo column

Prognathism

Extent to which the face and jaw protrude forward from a side view

Apes: more prognathism

Humans: less prognathism

Canines

Apes: longer and more pointed

Humans: smaller and less pointed

Canine diostema

Apes: large space

Humans: no diostema/much smaller

Incisors

Apes: bigger, less vertical

Humans: smaller, vertical, flatter

Chin

Apes: smooth, even slant

Humans: outward projection

Teeth

Same arrangement for both species