Morphological changes in the zygomatic arch during growth

Morphometry of the zygomatic arch was obtained using 30 Indian dried skulls at each of Hellman's dental stages: IIA, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and VA, for a total of 150 skulls 300 sides. The following conclusions were obtained.1.Though both the height and length of the zygomatic arch increased at all stages from IIA to VA, the rate of increase of the height indicated a value larger than the length.2.The zygomaticotemporal suture consisted of the vertical element from the upper margin to the center and the horizontal element from the lower side to the margo inferior during the IIA period. This suture changed to a gradual curve from the upper margin to the margo inferior with the movement of the center and the lower side to the rear during the VA period.3.The degree of interdigitation of the zygomaticotemporal suture increased from the IIA period to the IIIA and IIIB to IVA.These findings suggest that the form of the zygomatic arch and the zygomaticotemporal suture showed growth change adjusting to the functional change in mastication with growth.