Dr Alana Sharp PhD

This project aims to advance knowledge of the biomechanical role of sutures (soft connective tissue joints between the skull bones) in overall skull function by investigating how the patterns of cranial strain are influenced by the patency of sutures.

Craniofacial sutures are unique joints found in the skull and are important sites for bone growth during development, and for absorption of mechanical stress. Conditions such as craniosynostosis (~1 in every 2000 live births) involves the premature closure of sutures, and unless there is early surgical intervention this can lead to serious clinical pathologies, such as head malformations and brain damage. Corrective surgery aims to separate the fused cranial bones, restore head shape, and allow for normal cranial development. It is therefore important to understand the role sutures play in skull function to inform the surgical management of craniosynostosis patients to achieve the best outcome.

The primary purpose of this project is to explore the function of the temporal fascia, characterising its role during craniofacial growth and chewing, by building, analysing and validating biomechanical models of the human skull and jaw muscles. There is growing evidence of the mechanical significance of the temporal fascia during chewing, in controlling temporalis muscle force direction and bone strain distribution over the zygomatic arch and cranial vault. However, it is often overlooked in investigations of jaw muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function during mastication, resulting in a lack of knowledge about its role in regulating cranial strain and joint reaction forces. In addition, there is evidence that the temporal fascia impacts cranial ontogenetic development and zygomatic arch shape; however, the consequence of detaching the fascia during surgery is unknown for normal skull function, and healthy bone growth in children or adults.