Dataset Information

Faces in 4 dimensions: Why do we care, and why the fourth dimension?

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this article is to describe a dynamic approach for 3-dimensional analyses of facial soft-tissue movements. The method and analysis have numerous applications but, most specifically, are used to assess diagnostic and treatment outcomes of soft-tissue surgery in patients with repaired cleft lip and palate.

SUBMITTER: Trotman CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3387984 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Faces in 4 dimensions: Why do we care, and why the fourth dimension?

Trotman Carroll-Ann CA

American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics 20111201 6

The purpose of this article is to describe a dynamic approach for 3-dimensional analyses of facial soft-tissue movements. The method and analysis have numerous applications but, most specifically, are used to assess diagnostic and treatment outcomes of soft-tissue surgery in patients with repaired cleft lip and palate. ...[more]

PMID: 22133956

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Project description:BackgroundWhile humans (like other primates) communicate with facial expressions, the evolution of speech added a new function to the facial muscles (facial expression muscles). The evolution of speech required the development of a coordinated action between visual (movement of the lips) and auditory signals in a rhythmic fashion to produce "visemes" (visual movements of the lips that correspond to specific sounds). Visemes depend upon facial muscles to regulate shape of the lips, which themselves act as speech articulators. This movement necessitates a more controlled, sustained muscle contraction than that produced during spontaneous facial expressions which occur rapidly and last only a short period of time. Recently, it was found that human tongue musculature contains a higher proportion of slow-twitch myosin fibers than in rhesus macaques, which is related to the slower, more controlled movements of the human tongue in the production of speech. Are there similar unique, evolutionary physiologic biases found in human facial musculature related to the evolution of speech?Methodology/prinicipal findingsUsing myosin immunohistochemistry, we tested the hypothesis that human facial musculature has a higher percentage of slow-twitch myosin fibers relative to chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We sampled the orbicularis oris and zygomaticus major muscles from three cadavers of each species and compared proportions of fiber-types. Results confirmed our hypothesis: humans had the highest proportion of slow-twitch myosin fibers while chimpanzees had the highest proportion of fast-twitch fibers.Conclusions/significanceThese findings demonstrate that the human face is slower than that of rhesus macaques and our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. They also support the assertion that human facial musculature and speech co-evolved. Further, these results suggest a unique set of evolutionary selective pressures on human facial musculature to slow down while the function of this muscle group diverged from that of other primates.

Dataset Information

Faces in 4 dimensions: Why do we care, and why the fourth dimension?

Publications

Faces in 4 dimensions: Why do we care, and why the fourth dimension?

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