![]() ![]() Using mathematical modelling, we set out to understand how this process takes place. The extremely soft brain increases in volume while the extremely hard bone must increase in surface area. These are very different growth processes. As the brain grows, the skull must grow in response to accommodate extra volume while providing a tight fit. The growth of the skull in harmony with the brain is an extremely complex morphogenetic process. Ellen is an expert in biomechanical modelling and has developed state-of-the-art computational techniques to simulate the growth of biological tissues. What’s more I had the perfect partner in Prof. And when I was told that the problem of understanding the formation of these shapes was probably too complex to be studied using mathematical modelling tools, I realised I had a challenge I couldn’t possibly resist. Yet, surprisingly, I found that very little was known about the physics and bio-mechanics of the problem. I decided to pay him a visit.Īndrew Wilkie has done ground-breaking work in identifying genetic mutations behind rare craniofacial malformations and, in my discussions with him, he was particularly helpful in explaining the mechanisms underlying this fascinating process. Wilkie, also happened to be working in Oxford. He explained that much has been learnt about this process from a genetic and biochemical perspective and the world expert, Prof. The variety of shapes and intricacy of growth processes that he talked about immediately captured my imagination. Jay Jay routinely performs surgery on children to rectify abnormal skull growth (so-called “craniosynostosis”). As part of the launch, in true Oxford style, the team organised a workshop, where I got talking to Jayaratnam Jayamohan, aka Jay Jay, a brilliant paediatric neurosurgeon at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, whose work has featured in BBC documentaries. IBMTL is a network of people interested in the many and varied problems of brain mechanics and morphogenesis. Antoine Jérusalem from the Engineering Department, I opened the International Brain Mechanics and Trauma Lab (IBMTL) here in Oxford. He talks to ScienceBlog about the key findings from his recently published work ‘Dimensional, Geometrical and Physical Constraints in Skull Growth’, and how geometry and mathematical modelling can help us to understand the mechanics of the brain. The posterior fontanelle usually closes first, before the anterior fontanelle, during the first several months of an infant's life.Professor Alain Goriely is Professor of Mathematical modelling at Oxford University’s Mathematical Institute and founder of the International Brain Mechanics and Trauma Lab (IBMTL). This is the junction of the 2 parietal bones and the occipital bone. Doctors can assess if there is increased intracranial pressure by feeling the anterior fontanelle. ![]() The anterior fontanelle remains soft until about 18 months to 2 years of age. This is the junction where the 2 frontal and 2 parietal bones meet. There are 2 fontanelles (the space between the bones of an infant's skull where the sutures intersect) that are covered by tough membranes that protect the underlying soft tissues and brain. The fontanelles include:Īnterior fontanelle (also called soft spot). This results in an abnormal head shape (craniosynostosis). This may force growth to happen in another area or direction. If any of the sutures close too early (fuse prematurely), there may be no growth in that area. Each parietal bone plate meets the occipital bone plate at the lambdoid suture. This extends across the back of the head. The 2 parietal bone plates meet at the sagittal suture. This extends from the front of the head to the back, down the middle of the top of the head. Each frontal bone plate meets with a parietal bone plate at the coronal suture. The 2 frontal bone plates meet at the metopic suture.Ĭoronal suture. This extends from the top of the head down the middle of the forehead, toward the nose. The major sutures of the skull include the following: One suture in the middle of the skull extends from the front of the head to the back. Some sutures extend to the forehead, while others extend to the sides and back of the skull. The result is a symmetrically shaped head. ![]() This allows the bone to enlarge evenly as the brain grows and the skull expands. Sutures allow the bones to move during the birth process. These bony plates cover the brain and are held together by fibrous material called sutures. The major bones that compose the skull of a newborn include the following: Although the skull appears to be 1 large bone, there are actually several major bones that are connected together. ![]()
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