The cranial base in fetal Macaca nemestrina: a quantitative analysis of size and shape.

The applicability of Fourier analysis to quantitate the midsagittal cranial base has been demonstrated utilizing fetal Macaca nemestrina. This methodology accurately measures the irregular form of the endocranial profile, minimizes the effects of size, and maximizes shape differences. This method provides a quantitative dimension to the descriptive analysis of shape change previously observed with a combined histologic and cephalometric analysis.