Supraorbital torus
Supraorbital Torus
The Supraorbital Torus is a prominent, bony ridge located above the eye sockets (or orbits) in some primates, including certain extinct species of Homo and several extant primates such as gorillas and orangutans. This anatomical feature is significant in the field of paleoanthropology, as it provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of hominids.
Anatomy and Function[edit | edit source]
The supraorbital torus is a bony ridge formed by the frontal bone of the skull. It is located directly above the orbits, or eye sockets. The size and shape of the supraorbital torus can vary greatly among different species and individuals. In some primates, the torus is a continuous ridge, while in others it may be broken up into two or more separate sections.
The exact function of the supraorbital torus is not fully understood. Some theories suggest that it may have served a protective function, shielding the eyes from damage. Others propose that it may have been involved in social signaling, similar to the way that antlers or horns are used in other animals.
Evolutionary Significance[edit | edit source]
The presence or absence of a supraorbital torus is one of the key features used by paleoanthropologists to distinguish between different species of extinct hominids. For example, the Neanderthals had a very pronounced supraorbital torus, while modern humans (Homo sapiens) have a much less prominent one.
The evolution of the supraorbital torus is thought to be linked to changes in the structure of the skull and brain over time. As the brain expanded and the face became flatter, the supraorbital torus became less pronounced.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This anatomy article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
 | This Paleoanthropology-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
```
This template is designed for use in marking articles related to Paleoanthropology as stubs, which are articles that are too short to provide more than rudimentary information about a subject. When using this template, it will categorize the article into the category for Paleoanthropology stubs, making it easier for contributors interested in the subject to find and expand these articles. The image used in the template should be relevant to the subject of Paleoanthropology, and the template's parameters allow for customization of the image and the text displayed.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
