Brow ridge

Brow Ridge is a bony ridge located above the eye sockets of all primates which reinforces the weaker bones of the face. In modern humans, the brow ridge is much less pronounced.

Anatomy

The brow ridge, or supraorbital ridge, is a bony ridge located above the eye sockets of all primates. In modern humans, this feature is much less pronounced than in other primates, such as gorillas and chimpanzees. The brow ridge serves several functions. It reinforces the weaker bones of the face, provides a place for the attachment of muscles, and protects the eyes.

Evolution

The size and shape of the brow ridge in humans have changed significantly over time. Early hominids, such as Australopithecus and early Homo species, had very large and pronounced brow ridges. However, as human evolution progressed, the brow ridge became less pronounced. This is thought to be due to changes in social structure, diet, and the development of more complex language and communication skills.

In Modern Humans

In modern humans, the brow ridge is much less pronounced than in other primates. This is thought to be due to the development of a more vertical forehead, which allows for a larger brain and more complex cognitive abilities. However, there is still a great deal of variation in the size and shape of the brow ridge among different human populations.

See Also

• Human evolution
• Primate anatomy
• Human skull

Brow ridge Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.