• Seemann DC

• Gravitation
• Skull / anatomy and histology

A review of the literature and a pilot study on two cadavaric skulls were conducted to attempt determination of the exact center of gravity of the skull on a particular individual; this being considered important information in the chiropractic profession for the study of spinal biomechanics (particularly of the atlanto-occipital complex) and body posture control (vestibulo-proprioceptive effects). Five authors provided four differing theories on the location of the skull's center of gravity: 1) at the sella turcica; 2) inferior to the foramen magnum; 3) anterior to the atlanto-occipital joint, and 4) at a bisection of the vestibular apparatuses of the inner ear. By deductive evaluation of these four theories, and measurement of two cadavaric skulls which were sufficiently dissimilar (but not malformed) to comprise a "normal variant," it was concluded that the center of gravity of the skull of a particular individual is at a bisection of the vestibular apparatuses of the inner ear.

Author keywords: skull, gravitation, biomechanics, posture, chiropractic procedure, craniometry

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher. Article only available in print.