International Journal of Anatomy, Radiology and Surgery. 2016 Oct, Vol-5(4): AO08-AO11 8 Original Article DOI: 10.7860/IJARS/2016/21959:2195 ABSTRACT Introduction: Epipteric bones found in the pterion, the sutural confluence point on the lateral face of the cranium between the frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid bones, have a pattern of formation that varies according to the population. The anatomic location of the pterion is important in surgical interventions following surgical approaches to the anterior and middle cranial fossae. Aim: To study the morphology and morphometry of the epipteric bones. Materials and Methods: Total 256 crania were analyzed and epipteric bones were found in 64. Of these crania, 33 were male and 31 female. After careful analysis with the naked eye, seeking to identify the presence of epipteric bones, they were classified according to their shape. Their height and width were obtained by means of digital calipers. Results: Among the 64 crania in which epipteric bones were found, 51.56% were male and 48.44% female. The frequency of epipteric bones in all the cases was 19.14%. Morphologically, the irregular type occurred most frequently, followed by the triangular type. The length and height were also greater in the irregular and triangular types. Conclusion: Knowledge of the morphological and morphometric variations of the epipteric bones is important in neurosurgery, especially in relation to surgical accesses that use the pterion; and also for forensic anthropologists, in evaluating incomplete archeological remains. Anatomy Section Epipteric Bones in the Pterion in Dry Human Crania from a Region of Northeastern Brazil: Morphological and Morphometric Study JOSÉ ADERVAL ARAGÃO, ROBERTA DE OLIVEIRA CARVALHO, PAULA GURGEL BARRETO, FELIPE MATHEUS SANT’ANNA ARAGÃO, IAPUNIRA CATARINA SANT’ANNA ARAGÃO, JOSÉ ROBERTO PIMENTA DE GODOY, FRANCISCO PRADO REIS INTRODUCTION The pterion corresponds to the site of the anterolateral fontanelle of the neonatal cranium, which disappears approximately three months after birth [1]. Wang et al., [2] classified the pterion into six types: Frontotemporal, in which the frontal and temporal bones are in direct contact; Sphenoparietal, in which there is contact between the sphenoid and parietal bones; Stellate, in which the frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid bones are connected at a single point; Zygomatic-parietal, in which the zygomatic bone has a tongue that connects to the parietal bone; Zygomatic- temporal, in which the zygomatic bone has an extension that connects to the temporal bone, thereby separating the sphenoid bone from the frontal and parietal bones; and Epipteric, in which a small sutural bone is found. In relation to the development of sutural bones, there is still no Keywords: Anatomy, Forensic anthropologists, Skull, Surgical interventions unanimity regarding their occurrence. They are considered to be just a simple anatomical variation for which the mechanism of development is not fully understood [3]. When present in the region of the pterion, they are called epipteric ossicles, epipteric bones or even flower bones [4,5]. One or more epipteric bones may appear between the sphenoid angle, parietal bone and greater wing of the sphenoid bone [6]. According to Oguz et al., [7], exact knowledge of the location and relationships of the pterion on the left side of the cranium is of great importance in undertaking surgical interventions, particularly with regard to the course of the branches of the middle meningeal artery and the location of the speech motor area (Broca’s area). With the aim of expanding the knowledge of pterion, the present study had the objective of studying the morphology and morphometry of the epipteric bones.