Glabella
Definition
The midline prominence on the frontal bone between the superciliary arches. Scored 1 (flat, female) to 5 (highly prominent, male). Correlated with supra-orbital margin score; together they describe the brow ridge complex.
- Location
- Midline of frontal bone between the superciliary arches and above the nasal root
- Sex indicator
- Prominent in males, flat or rounded in females
- Scoring scale
- Scored 1 (flat, female) to 5 (highly prominent, male) for biological sex estimation
Common questions
Where exactly is the glabella on the skull?+
The glabella is the smooth, elevated area on the forehead that sits between the eyebrow ridges and above the nasal root. It's located on the midline of the frontal bone and forms a key anatomical landmark for skull examination and facial reconstruction.
How does the glabella differ between males and females?+
In males, the glabella is prominently elevated and forms a noticeable ridge. In females, it tends to be flatter and more rounded. Forensic examiners score this feature on a 1-to-5 scale when estimating biological sex from skeletal remains, with higher scores indicating male characteristics.
Why is the glabella important in forensic work?+
The glabella serves as a key reference point for skull superimposition and facial reconstruction because it's easy to identify and locate. It's also part of the brow ridge complex used to estimate sex, making it valuable for biological profiling of skeletal remains.
Related terms
- Mastoid Process
- The conical projection inferior to the external auditory meatus on the temporal bone. Attachment for sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis muscles. Scored 1...
- Anatomical Landmarks
- Fixed cranial reference points (about 25 are used) including glabella, nasion, gonion, gnathion, zygion and prosthion that must align with corresponding soft-tissue...
- AnthropoScope
- Computerised three-dimensional skull and facial reconstruction system using laser scans of the skull and soft-tissue prediction from CT databases.
- Biological Profile
- The four-part osteological description of an unidentified individual: sex, age range, population affinity (ancestry), and estimated stature. The profile constrains the pool...
- Cranial Robusticity
- The overall size and prominence of bony surface features on the skull, reflecting body size and musculature. Males are on average more...
- Epiphyseal Fusion
- The obliteration of the cartilaginous growth plate and bony union of the epiphysis with the diaphysis. Fusion sequence and timing form the...
- FACES
- American computerised composite and reconstruction software (IQ Biometrix) used to generate two-dimensional faces from cranial and witness data.
- FORDISC
- Forensic Discriminant Computer program, developed by Ousley and Jantz at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Performs discriminant-function analysis on user-supplied craniometric measurements...
- Forensic Anthropology
- The laboratory and scene-side discipline concerned with the analysis of skeletal and decomposed remains to establish biological profile, manner of death, trauma,...
- Gonial Angle
- The angle at the posterior inferior corner of the mandible (gonion) where the ramus meets the body. Males: more acute and everted;...
- Gonion
- The most posterior and inferior point of the mandibular angle, bilaterally. Used in superimposition to assess the width of the jaw angle...
- Gustafson Method
- Dental ageing method based on six progressive changes in a single tooth: attrition, periodontosis, secondary dentine, cementum apposition, root resorption and root...
Explained in these topics
- Sex Estimation from the Skull and MandibleThe midline prominence on the frontal bone between the superciliary arches. Scored 1 (flat, female) to 5 (highly prominent, male). Correlated with supra-orbita...
- Skeletal Remains: Species, Sex, Age, Stature and IdentificationSmooth elevation of the frontal bone between the supraorbital ridges, above the nasal root; prominent in males, smooth and rounded in females.
- Skull Superimposition and Facial ReconstructionMost prominent midline point on the frontal bone between the superciliary arches; key forehead landmark.