Occipital bun

An occipital bun, also called an occipital spur, occipital knob, chignon hook or inion hook, is a prominent bulge or projection of the occipital bone at the back of the skull. It is important in scientific descriptions of classic Neanderthal crania.[1] It is found among archaic Homo species (including Neanderthals), as well as Upper Pleistocene Homo sapiens and present-day human populations.[2]

The occipital bun on a Neanderthal skull

Occipital buns in Neanderthals
The occipital bun pointed out on a Neanderthal skull

The occipital bun is a protuberance of the occipital bone. Its size and shape has been compared to that of a dinner roll. It is a quintessential trait of Neanderthals, though it is a trend in archaic Homo species. The true purpose of the occipital bun has not yet been defined.[3] However, some studies have found possible evolutionary purposes. In a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the occipital bun has been attributed to the enlargement of the visual cortex; this is hypothesized to be an adaptation to lower light levels found in the higher latitudes of Europe. This enlarged visual cortex also correlates with larger eyes among Neanderthals.[4] The occipital bun has also been hypothesized to function in relieving stress on the neck muscles, offsetting the weight of the Neanderthal's heavier, more robust face.[5]

Homology

A study conducted by Lieberman, Pearson and Mowbray provides evidence that individuals with narrow heads (dolichocephalic) or narrow cranial bases and relatively large brains are more likely to have occipital buns as a means of resolving a spatial packing problem. This differs from Neanderthals, who have wider cranial bases. This suggests that there is no homology in the occipital buns of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.[6]

In addition to Neanderthals, fossilized early modern Homo sapiens of Europe have been found to have occipital buns. Many current-day modern human populations, including Lapps, the bushmen of South Africa, and Australian aboriginals, have frequent occurrences of occipital buns. However, as previously mentioned, there is no evidence of homology between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.[5]

Occipital buns in Homo sapiens
Occipital bun on a modern human male

As mentioned above, fossilized early modern Homo sapiens of Europe, as well as current-day modern human populations, such as Lapps, the bushmen of South Africa, and Australian aboriginals, have some prevalence of occipital buns. Among modern humans, there are three classes of occipital buns: type I (smooth), type II (crest form), and type III (spine form).[1] Type I has been found to be more common in women, while type III is more common in men.[7] In some cases, individuals with occipital buns experience a range of symptoms. The most common symptoms include tenderness at the back of the skull while lying down and/or when moving the neck. A surgical procedure can be done to reduce the size of the occipital bun and relieve symptoms.[1]

See also

References
  1. Varghese E, Samson RS, Kumbargere SN, Pothen M (May 2017). "Occipital spur: understanding a normal yet symptomatic variant from orthodontic diagnostic lateral cephalogram". BMJ Case Reports. 2017: bcr–2017–220506. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-220506. PMC 5753744. PMID 28536237.
  2. Trinkaus E, LeMay M (January 1982). "Occipital bunning among later Pleistocene Hominids". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 57 (1): 27–35. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330570106. PMID 6814258.
  3. Paskey AW, Cisneros AB (2019). "Chapter 11: Archaic Homo". In Shook B, Nelson K, Aguilera K, Braff L (eds.). Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. ISBN 978-1-931303-63-7. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. Ghose T (2013-03-13). "Neanderthals Doomed by Vision-Centered Brains". livescience.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  5. "NOVA | Transcripts | Neanderthals on Trial | PBS". www.pbs.org. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  6. Lieberman DE, Pearson OM, Mowbray KM (February 2000). "Basicranial influence on overall cranial shape". Journal of Human Evolution. 38 (2): 291–315. doi:10.1006/jhev.1999.0335. PMID 10656780.
  7. Jacques T, Jaouen A, Kuchcinski G, Badr S, Demondion X, Cotten A (April 2020). "Enlarged External Occipital Protuberance in young French individuals' head CT: stability in prevalence, size and type between 2011 and 2019". Scientific Reports. 10 (1): 6518. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63554-y. PMC 7162866. PMID 32300156.
  • PBS.org - 'Neanderthals on Trial' (January 22, 2002)
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