The term "bregmatolambdoid arc" refers to the curve-shaped suture at the top of the skull that connects the sagittal suture with the lambdoid suture. The word is spelled phonetically as /ˌbrɛɡmətoʊˈlæmbdɔɪd ɑrk/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "bregma," is pronounced as "BREG-muh," while "lambdoid" is pronounced as "LAM-doid." The final syllable, "arc," is simply pronounced as "ark." Despite its complicated spelling, this term is commonly used in the study of human anatomy.
The term "bregmatolambdoid arc" refers to a specific anatomical arc formed in the human skull. More precisely, this term describes the curved path between the two cranial sutures known as the bregma and the lambda.
The bregma is a major junction between the two major cranial bones, the frontal and the two parietal bones. It is located on the top of the skull, at the intersection of the frontal and sagittal sutures. On the other hand, the lambda is also a significant junction found at the posterior part of the skull, where the sagittal and lambdoid sutures meet.
The bregmatolambdoid arc typically connects the bregma to the lambda and represents the most prominent arc or curve on the top surface of the skull. This arc is formed due to the natural fusion of the cranial bones during the process of skull development, and it can vary in size and shape among individuals due to genetic and environmental factors.
The bregmatolambdoid arc is of particular importance in anthropology and forensic science, as it often serves as a reference line for the measurement and analysis of cranial features, such as size, shape, and proportions. It can also assist in age estimation and the determination of ancestry in skeletal remains.
The line running along the sagittal suture from the bregma to the apex of the lambdoid suture.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "bregmatolambdoid arc" is a technical term used in anatomy to describe the curvature between the bregma (the point where the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull intersect) and the lambda (the point where the sagittal and lambdoid sutures intersect).
The etymology of the word can be broken down as follows:
- "Bregma" comes from the Greek word "bregma", meaning "a knot" or "front part of the head".
- "Lambdoid" comes from the Greek letter "lambda" (Λ), which resembles the shape of the Greek letter lambda (λ), and means "the letter L".