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craniometry

craniometry

1 9.9
Measuring skulls to learn about people or animals
  • noun
  • /ˌkreɪniˈɒmətri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : craniometría
  • The significance and importance of somatometry, cephalometry, craniometry, and osteometry in the identification of human remains have been described, and a new term 'forensic anthropometry' has been coined.
  • craniometry and osteometry

Examples

  • Using craniometry, scientists have been able to analyze ancient skulls to learn about human evolution.

  • Anthropometry can be subdivided into somatometry, including cephalometry, and osteometry, including craniometry.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The study of craniometry helps researchers understand the differences in skull shapes among various cultures.

  • In the field of craniometry, experts measure the size and shape of skulls to provide insights into human ancestry.

Synonyms

craniology
vscraniometry
  • Archaic
9.9

The study of human skull size and shape to compare different groups of people

focuses on precise measurements often after removing soft tissues
cephalometry
vscraniometry
  • Specialized
9.6

The measurement of the size and shape of the head for medical or research purposes

measures skull dimensions after removal of soft tissues for anthropology

Surface Forms

craniometry singular
craniometries plural

Morphology

craniometry = cranium (transparent) = cranio + metry

The word is composed of the skull root and a measurement suffix, so the meaning 'measurement of skulls' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Craniometry comes from the Greek parts cranium 'skull' and -metry 'measure', like the everyday word meter, so it literally means 'measuring skulls' and is the study of skull size and shape.