Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 43, Prague, Czech Republic.
Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 43, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Software and Computer Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, 118 00, Prague, Czech Republic.
Arch Oral Biol. 2017 Dec;84:64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.09.015. Epub 2017 Sep 19.
The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship of mastication and directional asymmetry (DA) of upper facial skeleton in Early Medieval sample from the Mikulčice settlement (Czech Republic).
The settlement is divided into two burial areas of presumably different socioeconomic status: the castle and the sub-castle. The material consisted of 193 individuals (125 castle, 68 sub-castle). The relationship of facial skeleton DA and mastication was analysed by examining tooth wear and mandibular shape by means of 3D geometric morphometrics. Tooth wear of premolars and molars was evaluated using appropriate scoring systems. 3D coordinates of 35 mandibular landmarks were scanned using MicroScribe G2X digitizing system.
The results did not reveal any significant differences in tooth wear DA or mandible DA values between burial areas or sexes. Mandibular shape, however, differed significantly between burial areas and sexes. Directional changes of mandibular landmarks supported a right chewing side preference in the sample. Significant relationship between upper facial skeleton DA and mandible DA was recorded.
Differences in subsistence between burial areas and sexes did not translate into differences in mandible DA and dental wear. However, mandibular shape analysis revealed prominence of areas affected by masticatory muscles in individuals from the castle. Higher consumption of tough material, such as meat, has been proposed as possible explanation. The right side was found to be preferential for chewing. The relationship between upper facial skeleton DA and mandible DA was concluded to be the result of the compensatory and adaptive function of mandible.
本研究旨在分析米库利采定居点（捷克共和国）早期中世纪样本中咀嚼和上颌骨方向不对称（DA）之间的关系。
该定居点分为两个可能具有不同社会经济地位的埋葬区：城堡和城堡下区。该材料由 193 人组成（125 人来自城堡区，68 人来自城堡下区）。通过检查牙齿磨损和下颌形状，利用 3D 几何形态测量法分析了面部骨骼 DA 和咀嚼之间的关系。使用适当的评分系统评估了前磨牙和磨牙的牙齿磨损情况。使用 MicroScribe G2X 数字化系统扫描了 35 个下颌标志点的 3D 坐标。
结果显示，在埋葬区或性别之间，牙齿磨损 DA 或下颌骨 DA 值没有任何显著差异。然而，下颌骨形状在埋葬区和性别之间存在显著差异。下颌标志点的方向变化支持样本中存在右侧咀嚼偏好。记录到上颌骨 DA 和下颌骨 DA 之间存在显著的关系。
埋葬区和性别之间的生存差异并没有转化为下颌骨 DA 和牙齿磨损的差异。然而，下颌骨形状分析显示出城堡区个体中受咀嚼肌影响的区域更加突出。有人提出，更高的坚韧食物（如肉类）的消耗可能是其原因。发现右侧是咀嚼的首选侧。上颌骨 DA 和下颌骨 DA 之间的关系被认为是下颌骨的补偿和适应功能的结果。
