Abstract:

Objective To understand the variation of some Chinese non-metric mandibular traits related to masticatory muscle. Methods This study was conducted on 379 human mandibles from China. Mandibular traits was divided into several types, and then comparisons were made among different time periods. Results Tuberositas masseterica and tuberositas ptelygoidea were stronger in Neolithic Age than in the Bronze and Iron Age, and became weaker as human beings move into the modern era. Mental spine showed no big different among different time periods. Conclusion Masseter muscles and musculi pterygoideus internus may become weaker as time period goes by in Holocene, which may be caused partly by the decrease of masticatory force needed.

Key words: Mandible, Tuberositas masseterica, Tuberositas ptelygoidea, Recent population