Comparative myology of the hominoid cranial base. II. The muscles of the prevertebral and upper pharyngeal region.

Detailed accounts of the muscular relations and attachments in the prevertebral and upper pharyngeal region of the cranial base of extant hominoids and fossil hominids are described in this paper. Marked differences exist in the cranial attachments of the longus capitis, superior constrictor, tensor palati and levator palati muscles between the three great apes and Homo sapiens. Many of the bony ridges and processes characteristic of the three great apes are also present in the 'gracile' australopithecines. Some of the differences between the muscle markings in this region of the cranial base in certain fossil hominids are discussed in the light of the findings of the dissection study of the three great apes and previous studies of the hominoid cranial base.