ABSTRACT
The age estimation (AE) of human remains is a challenging task since it is dependent on the state in which these remains are found. Since the macroscopic evaluation of palatal sutures has been proposed as a method for AE, the aim of this study was to review the literature on this method, considering that the cases of edentulous elderly are among the greatest challenges in anthropological and forensic contexts. A scoping review was performed using a specific search strategy in PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar. The search identified 13 articles, among which the USA yielded the most information with 3 articles. Only 1 study was identified in Latin America (Peru). There was great diversity regarding the origin of samples, and the studies were carried out on both historical and modern populations. Only 6 articles exceeded the average sample size (168.08) and 4 articles studied samples of fewer than 100 individuals. Although 6 different methods were identified, Mann et al.'s revised method was the most used. The selection of appropriate methods for AE depends on what skeletal elements are present and the general age of the specimens. Although evaluation of the obliteration of the palatal sutures has been found to be simple and promising for AE in individuals over 60 years of age, this method has been reported to have less precision than other more complex methods, which makes the use of a combination of methods necessary to increase the level of confidence and the percentage of success. Further research could resolve this weakness, and methodological refinement (perhaps the digitization and automation of processes, or the application of Bayesian methodology) could provide the necessary solidity to comply with international standards in the forensic scenario.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint between the mandibular condyles, the mandibular fossa and the articular tubercle of the temporal bone. TMJ has been described as a "bicondylar" joint, a term that in current literature is used in multiple and dissimilar contexts. We present a scoping review of the term "bicondylar" as a descriptive term for TMJ in the scientific literature of the last 5 years. After selection according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 24 articles were selected for further analysis. The countries with the most publications were Brazil, India and Turkey with 3 articles each. Seven articles (29.17 %) were published by Spanish- speaking authors, six of these written in Spanish. Regarding the use of the term "bicondylar", 50 % of the articles referred to this term but did not explain it; 25 % cited this term to refer to the location in the left and right mandibular condyles; and 25 % the articles use the term and explain it according to the morphology of the articular surfaces. Discrepancies were also detected regarding as to how to consider TMJ: 54.17 % considered that TMJ is a single joint between a single bone (the jaw) and two bones of the cranium, while 45.83 % considered that TMJ are actually two different TMJs that work at the same time. We suggest discussing the appropriate use of the term "bicondylar" to avoid confusion and to be able to adapt and satisfy the needs of both anatomists and clinicians.
RESUMEN: La articulación temporomandibular (ATM) es la articulación entre los cóndilos mandibulares con la fosa mandibular y el tubérculo articular del hueso temporal. La ATM ha sido descrita como una articulación "bicondílea", término que en la literatura actual se utiliza en múltiples y disímiles contextos. Presentamos una revisión con búsqueda sistemática del término "bicondíleo" como término descriptivo de la ATM en la literatura científica de los últimos 5 años. Siguiendo criterios de inclusión/exclusión, se seleccionaron 24 artículos para su posterior análisis. Los países con más publicaciones fueron Brasil, India y Turquía con 3 artículos cada uno. Siete artículos (29,17 %) fueron publicados por autores de habla hispana, seis de ellos escritos en español. En cuanto al uso del término "bicondilar", el 50 % de los artículos se refieren a él, pero no lo explican; un 25 % citó este término para referirse a la ubicación en los cóndilos mandibulares izquierdo y derecho; y el 25 % de los artículos utilizan el término y lo explican según la morfología de las superficies articulares. También se detectaron discrepancias en cuanto a cómo considerar la ATM: el 54,17 % consideró que la ATM es una única articulación entre un solo hueso (la mandíbula) y dos huesos del cráneo, mientras que el 45,83 % consideró que la ATM son en realidad dos ATM diferentes que funcionan al mismo tiempo. Se sugiere discutir el uso adecuado del término "bicondilar" para evitar confusiones y poder adaptar y satisfacer las necesidades tanto de anatomistas como de clínicos.
