Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man

Introduction: Neanderthals, our extinct relatives, exhibited distinct nasal morphology compared to Homo sapiens. Objectives: This study explores these differences through a comparative analysis of cranionasal measurements. Material and Methods: Data on Neanderthal nasal features were obtained...

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Main Authors: Francisco Alves de Sousa, Joana Ida Dias, Rita Teixeira Carvalho, Clara Serdoura Alves, Ana Nóbrega Pinto, Mariline Santos, Luís Meireles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Portuguese Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery 2024-09-01
Series:Revista Portuguesa Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço
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Online Access:https://journalsporl.com/index.php/sporl/article/view/2177
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author Francisco Alves de Sousa
Joana Ida Dias
Rita Teixeira Carvalho
Clara Serdoura Alves
Ana Nóbrega Pinto
Mariline Santos
Luís Meireles
author_facet Francisco Alves de Sousa
Joana Ida Dias
Rita Teixeira Carvalho
Clara Serdoura Alves
Ana Nóbrega Pinto
Mariline Santos
Luís Meireles
author_sort Francisco Alves de Sousa
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Neanderthals, our extinct relatives, exhibited distinct nasal morphology compared to Homo sapiens. Objectives: This study explores these differences through a comparative analysis of cranionasal measurements. Material and Methods: Data on Neanderthal nasal features were obtained from existing paleoanthropological literature, focusing on 16 hominid fossils. A parallel sample of 38 modern human CT scans was retrospectively reviewed, with measurements focusing on nasal region. Results: Neanderthals displayed significantly larger nasal cavities with increased basion-nasion and basion-prosthion distances, wider intercanine dimensions, and larger nasal breadth and height compared to modern humans. Choanal width and nasal index did not differ significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest functional adaptations in Neanderthal nasal morphology, potentially aiding in thermoregulation within cold environments.  Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary significance of these adaptations.
format Article
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publishDate 2024-09-01
publisher Portuguese Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
record_format Article
series Revista Portuguesa Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço
spelling doaj-art-7a7beab6886c496c8cb7bb40fef7e9172025-08-20T02:21:34ZengPortuguese Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck SurgeryRevista Portuguesa Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço2184-64992024-09-0162310.34631/sporl.2177Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern ManFrancisco Alves de Sousa0Joana Ida Dias1Rita Teixeira Carvalho2Clara Serdoura Alves3Ana Nóbrega Pinto4Mariline Santos5Luís Meireles6Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, Portugal Introduction: Neanderthals, our extinct relatives, exhibited distinct nasal morphology compared to Homo sapiens. Objectives: This study explores these differences through a comparative analysis of cranionasal measurements. Material and Methods: Data on Neanderthal nasal features were obtained from existing paleoanthropological literature, focusing on 16 hominid fossils. A parallel sample of 38 modern human CT scans was retrospectively reviewed, with measurements focusing on nasal region. Results: Neanderthals displayed significantly larger nasal cavities with increased basion-nasion and basion-prosthion distances, wider intercanine dimensions, and larger nasal breadth and height compared to modern humans. Choanal width and nasal index did not differ significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest functional adaptations in Neanderthal nasal morphology, potentially aiding in thermoregulation within cold environments.  Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary significance of these adaptations. https://journalsporl.com/index.php/sporl/article/view/2177FossilHominidsNasal CavityComparative AnatomyRespiratory SystemBiological Evolution
spellingShingle Francisco Alves de Sousa
Joana Ida Dias
Rita Teixeira Carvalho
Clara Serdoura Alves
Ana Nóbrega Pinto
Mariline Santos
Luís Meireles
Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
Revista Portuguesa Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço
Fossil
Hominids
Nasal Cavity
Comparative Anatomy
Respiratory System
Biological Evolution
title Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
title_full Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
title_fullStr Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
title_full_unstemmed Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
title_short Nosing beyond the stone age: deciphering nasal evolution from Neanderthals to modern Man
title_sort nosing beyond the stone age deciphering nasal evolution from neanderthals to modern man
topic Fossil
Hominids
Nasal Cavity
Comparative Anatomy
Respiratory System
Biological Evolution
url https://journalsporl.com/index.php/sporl/article/view/2177
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