Mikrokosmographia a description of the body of man. Together vvith the controuersies thereto belonging. Collected and translated out of all the best authors of anatomy, especially out of Gasper Bauhinus and Andreas Laurentius. By Helkiah Crooke Doctor of Physicke, physitian to His Maiestie, and his Highnesse professor in anatomy and chyrurgerie. Published by the Kings Maiesties especiall direction and warrant according to the first integrity, as it was originally written by the author.

CHAP. V. Of the Sutures or Seames of the Scull, and of the substance thereof.

COncerning the Figures or formes of the Head, we haue spoken before suffici∣ently in the fourth Chapter of the seauenth Booke, and therefore here wee will not stand either to repeate or enlarge this argument, but come directly to the bones of the Scull.

The Scull therefore is called in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine Caluaria, and is that bone * 1.1 which compasseth the whole brayne, being put vpon it as a Head-peece or Murrion, for more security and stronger defence, because vnderneath it, are contayned so noble and necessary parts.

The Scull also for further security was made round and large, because it was to con∣tayne a great quantity of Brayne and After-brayne. It was not made of one bone for * 1.2 feare least by one wound it might haue beene throughout fractured, but of many ioyned together by sutures or seames, as well for security as also to make the Head lesse subiect to offence: for were it not for these seames, in vehement motions the bones must needes start asunder.

The fashion of these Seames is of two sorts: the one playne and linear like two bords * 1.3 glewed, or stones caemented together: the other indented like the teeth of two Sawes ioyned together, or like a loose seame of a garment when it is slackly sowed. It is very rare to finde the head without seames, although Aristotle report such a thing, as also Pol∣lux in his second booke, Herodotus in his ninth, and Columbus vpon his owne experience. Sometimes we finde the Coronall suture to bee obliterated, sometimes one of the other, sometimes in old bodies through length of time and drith all the seames do grow toge∣ther by coalition, as doe the Appendances of bones, and their sutures are so abolished that scarce any footsteps of them doe remayne, which in yonger bodies are most conspi∣cuous.

Of all the Sutures sayth Falopius those of the Temples doe continue the longest. Hip∣pocrates de vulneribus capitis, and Galen out of him do say, that the sutures do change their position and number according to the different figures of the head, so that in those heads wherein the anterior prominence is wanting therein also is the Coronall suture absent, where there is no prominence in the Nowle there is no Lambdall suture: yet alwayes the Sagittall suture remayneth, and then the figure of the remayning sutures is like T. But where both prominences are wanting, there are 2. lines intersecting themselues through the Scull like X. Columbus for this reprehendeth Galen, and sayeth hee hath handled sixe hundred thousand Sculs (he meanes a great many in some Church yard or Cloyster) yet neuer found any whose figure was not naturall, or which wanted either the Coronall or Lambdall sutures. Falopius also in this is against Galen, and so is Eustachius. Bauhine cannot approue it, for sayth he we often find heads which want either the interior or posterior pro∣minence and yet haue all the sutures. Againe, some wee finde without the Coronall su∣tures, when notwithstanding the fore head beareth out; some without the Lambdal suture though the Nowle be būching: some without the sagittal; sōe are foūd without any suture at al, though no prominence be wanting: not that these sutures are deficient from their o∣riginall or from the birth, but they are therefore abolished because they oftentimes grow together whether the head be well formed or no. For if the prominences were the cause of the sutures, then where there are no prominences there should bee no sutures, but in the side of the head at the Eares where the Scull is depressed there are sutures without prominence.

The Sutures are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and they are of two sorts; some are proper to the Scull * 1.4 itselfe, some are common to it with the vpper iaw. The proper sutures are againe dou∣ble, True or False: the True are three, the False sixe. The common sutures are fiue. The true seames are two transuerse, and one lengthwise, so that together they make such a fi∣gure as this.

[illustration]

The first or the anterior or the transuerse [table 7. ^{A B} tab. 9. fig. 11. ⁿⁿ] is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Coronalis the Crowny suture, because the auncients were wont to weare * 1.5 their Crownes or Garlands in that place; not such Crownes as Kings weare, and

[illustration]

TABVLA VII.

[illustration]

FIG. VI.

[illustration]

VII.

[illustration]

Table 7 sheweth some bones and sutures of the head. Fig. 6 sheweth the left side. Fig. 7 sheweth the right side, the yoke-bone beeing remooued. See the description in Lib. 7, folio 438.

at this day amongst vs, Gentlewo∣men doe in that place weare there Wyers or Tyers of haire, and of∣tentimes lay some peece of Scarlet or such like vnderneath to defend the mould of the head, (for so wee commonly call it) from the ayer. This suture resembleth a transuerse circle, for it runneth ouerthwart a∣boue the forehead as farre as to the scaly agglutinations, and it separa∣teth the forehead bone [ta. 7, ^L from ^I to ^K] from the bones of the Synci∣put, or it ioyneth them together.

The second or posterior suture [Tab. 7; ^{C D}. tab. 9, ^PP] is in the back∣part * 1.6 of the head, and ascending ob∣liquely from the basis of the nowle to the rootes of the mamillary pro¦cesses, at each eare determineth at the middest of the sagittall suture. This suture because it is like the let∣ter ^Λ is called Lambdoides. It se∣parateth the nowle bone from the bones of the Synciput [ta. 7, ^M from ^{I K}] and the temple bones. [tab. 7, ^N]

But in those men whose Sculs are large behind this suture is altered into others of diuers formes; som∣times the bone is diuided by a transuerse suture; somtimes it is circumscribed with a dou∣ble suture as if a greater Triangle should comprehend a lesser; somtimes with a treble, as if a greater Triangle should comprehend two lesser; and these bones so circumscribed are by some called Triangularia, and are commended as of much auaile in the Epilepsie or falling sicknes. The 3 suture is in the midst betwixt the former two, [Ta. 7, fi. 1, ^•] and com∣monly * 1.7 (as you may see in grown bodies) it rūneth from the middle of the Lambdal throgh the middest of the length of the head to the midst of the crowny suture; somtimes it brea∣keth through it and diuideth the forehead bone iust in the midst vnto the top of the Nose, which is alwayes to be seene in Infants, in some children till they be 7 yeares old, in wo∣men but rarely, in men more rarely, and especially in those that haue flat faces. It is called Sagittalis because it is straight like an arrow. It diuideth the two bones of the Synciput; somtimes also as we haue saide, the forehead bone, and somtimes it cutteth also a part of the Nowle-bone: And thus much of the true sutures.

The Bastard sutures are so called because they be not so euident and conspicuous as the former, or rather because they belong to the second kinde of seame which is plaine, ly∣ing * 1.8 as the scales of a fish one aboue another. Some reckon foure, others fiue, we with Bau∣hine will account six. The first is at the sides of the cauities of the Temples on each side * 1.9 one. [tab. 7, F, G, H] It runueth with a circular passage vpward from the roote of the mammillary processe and passeth downeward vnto the basis. [Tab. 7, fig. 6, from F, G, H, to Ω] These sutures are not made by coniunction but rather by superapposition, so that the bone of the Synciput is by little and little attenuated like the plate of a Iacke or scale of a fish, and lieth ouer the temple bone. And therefore they are not simply called sutures but Squamosae adglutinationes and Squamiformes suturae.

Now the reason why Nature ioyned the bones of the synciput and the temples to∣gether like scales was, because she determined to place in the latterall parts of the temple∣bones the smal bones of hearing, for which end she stood in need to make the bones of the

hollow, whereas if both bones had beene thicke there had beene no roome for the caui∣ty, and beside the head would haue beene to heauy. Wherefore out of the great bone of the temples being attenuated, is formed a cauity for the bones of hearing, and the o∣ther bone of the Synciput was also made thin, that it might more fitly be ioyned to the tē∣ple bones. These two sutures do ioyne together on the foreside the temple bones with the wedge-bone; [tab. 7, fig. 6, ^N with Ω] but behind and aboue with the bones of the Synci∣put.

The fift, or the second bastard suture [tab. 7, fig. 6, b] runneth likewise obliquely down∣ward * 1.10 at the sides from the top of the former [tab. 7, fig. 6, from ^M to ^g] vnto the beginning of the first common suture; [at ^g] and this may bee called Cuneiformis, the suture of the wedge-bone; for on the vpper part it ioyneth the wedge-bone with the bones of the Syn∣ciput, on the lower part with the bones of the forehead.

The sixt suture [Tab. 8, fig. 9, ^MM tab. 9. fig. 10, ^s] is on eyther side at the basis of the head; * 1.11 oblique also and continuall with the Lambdall suture, and runneth from the extremity of the same close by the roote of the mammillary processe through the middest of the stony bone obliquely inward to the basis of the head, where it is ioyned to the first rackbone as farre as to the transuerse line; but because it doth not so exactly expresse the forme of a suture, but seemeth rather a simple line, therefore some haue called it Lambdoides Harmo∣nialis; others Lambdoides inferior and Galen an additament of the Lambdall suture; & this suture or line is common to the Additament of the nowle with the lower part of the tem∣ple bone and the Organ of hearing. In children it is very manifest but in growne bodies by degrees it vanisheth away so that in old men there is no remainder or shew of it.

The seauenth suture [tab. 8, fig. 9, ⁿⁿ. tab. 9, fig. 10, t] is a line in the middle of the ba∣sis * 1.12 of the head which runneth on eyther side ouerthwart with a short course till it end in∣to the chinke or rift which is common to the wedge-bone with the temple bone. This is common to the Additament of the nowle with the wedge-bone, and ioyneth together the end of the Lambdall suture.

The eight [tab. 9, fig. 10, ^uu] is most conspicuous on the inside of the Scull. It runneth * 1.13 ouerthwart on both sides in the forepart thereof, and reacheth to the lower angles or cor∣ners of the spongy bone and the cauities of the Nosthrils. It is common to the forehead with the fore-part of the wedge-bone. Moreouer it separateth the spongy bone on e∣uery side from the fore head bone, which seeme rather to be ioyned by Lineall harmony or Caementation then by suture.

The ninth [Tab. 9, fig. 10, from ^u by K I vnto ^x on the left side] on the outside almost in the middest vnder the spongy bones of the Nosthrils appeareth foure square, and run∣neth * 1.14 obliquely according to the forme of the wedge-bone, so that it is common to the spongy bone as it is referred to the Scull: on the backpart with the wedge-bone, on the forepart and in the sides with the forehead bone: and these are the sixe bastard sutures which with the three true sutures make nine proper sutures of the Scull.

The Sutures which are common to the Scull with the bones of the vpper Iaw wher∣by * 1.15 the processes of the bones of the Scull are fastened on the outside are accounted fiue.

The first is in the outside of the eye-brow, [tab. 7, fig. 6, 7, ^gg Tab. 8, fig. 8, ^•. fig. 9, g] and runneth outward from the end of the fift suture and the second common suture, and ex∣presseth the right forme of a suture indeed, and it is common to the bones of the forehead and the first bone of the vpper Iaw.

The second which Archangelus maketh a proper suture of the Scull and Columbus * 1.16 accounteth for the sixt, appeareth in the vtter and laterall part of the orbe of the eye, and as if it were double is distinguished with a long common perforation; aboue it runneth downeward [Tab. 8, fig. 8, from ^S to ^Q and fig. 9, to ^d. tab. 7, fig. 7, to ^d] from the outside of the orbe of the eye and the cauities of the temple bones vnto the foresaide perforation & becommeth common to the wedge-bone with the first bone of the vpper iaw, which ma∣keth the outward angle; below it runneth directly downeward at the sides of the Pallate and the cauity of the Nosthrils from the foresaide perforation euen vnto the roots of the teeth, [tab. 8, fig. 9, from d to e] and is common to the wedge-bone with the fourth & sixt bones of the vpper iaw.

The third, which Columbus accounteth for the eight, is feated in the inside of the orbe of the eye and the cauity of the Nosthrils, and runneth obliquely outward from the roote * 1.17 of the eye to the top of the Nose, [Tab 8, fig, 8, ^{R S T V X Y Z}] and is common below, by a

[illustration]

TABVLA VIII.

[illustration]

FIG. IIX.

[illustration]

IX

See this description lib. 7. cap. 4. fol. 439. short cutte to the protuberation of the wedge-bone with the third bone of the vpper iawe; the rest of his passage ioy∣neth the outward table of the forehead bone, with the second, third, fourth and fift bones of the vpper iaw.

The fourth belongeth to the yoake-bone * 1.18 and runneth obliquely thorough the middest thereof, [ta. 7. fig. 6. ^Y tab. 8. fig. 9. ^Y fig. 8. ^P] and ioyneth the processe of the temporall bone with the proces of the first bone of the vpper iaw.

The fift is belowe in the cauity of * 1.19 the Nostrilles, and runneth [ta. 8. fig, 9, vnder. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] from behind forward betwixt the processes called the Bats-wings, and is common to the wedge bone with the partition of the nosethrils. It is also to bee obserued that all the coniunctions of the bones of the head which outward¦ly are sutures, on the inside doe rather seeme to be ioyned by Harmony or Cae∣mentation thereby suture: on the contra¦ry sayeth Eustachius, in the Scull of an Ape they are each where so obschre, that for the most part they doe not de∣serue the names of sutures. In 〈…〉〈…〉 men also they are greater and more loose in others smaller and more compacted.

The first sort are lesse troubled with paynes in the head from internall cau∣ses; albeit Celsus in the first Chapter of his 8. book is of another minde; neither ought any man to wonder much there∣at, because Anatomy in his dayes was but in the Infancy, and beside that kind of learning among the Romans was but geazon: the other whose sutures are more com∣pacted, are obnoxious or subiect to continuall and great paynes of the head, because the sooty excrements are retayned, which with their acrimony or sharpnesse doe goade the membranes, and with their aboundance distend them.

The vses of these sutures are; first to be vents of the brayne, that the thicker and sooty excrements might exhale. But this was not the only vse, for then the Scull might haue * 1.20 beene bored through with small perforations to haue serued that turne; but it was neces∣sary that the Dura meninx should issue forth and be suspended to the Scull, least the hard∣nesse thereof should presse the brayne or the ventricles therein: beside the Filaments or strings do make the Pericranium and the Periostium. Furthermore, the sutures were made for the ingresse and egresse of vessels for the nourishment and life of those parts.

Fourthly, that if at any time the head should happen to be broken, the fracture might not run through the whole skull but stay at the end of the fractured bone. Otherwise if a fracture were made in the forepart, the fissure or cleft would passe in the continuation of the bone vnto the hinder part, as it will doe in an earthen pot. Finally, Nature found it needfull that some parts of the scull should be thicker, others thinner, some of one forme some of another; and therefore she thought it fit rather to make it of many bones and to ioyne them together by sutures, then to make it of one onely bone, which must haue had so great variety of parts. We may also adde with Galen in the 22. chapter of the 13. book of his Method, and Falopius maketh it the 7. vse; that medicines which are to bee applyed outwardly might better enter into the braine and affect it. And thus much of the sutures.

The substance of the Scull varieth according to the age of the partie. For in chil∣dren * 1.21 newe borne it is very soft, afterward it is gristly and membranous, especially about the commissures or seames [ta. 3. ta. 4: figure 1. betwixt ^a and ^b, especially ta. 4. fig. 2, betwixt ^a and ^a] and in the vpper and middle part of the head; so that in some childeren till they haue passed ouer some yeares it wil yeild to the compression of a mans finger. And this tenerity or softnes of the Scull was very necessary, both to make the birth of the infant more easie, as also for the growth of his head.

But in growne bodies it is altogether bony for more strength; yet not fast and thin, for then the parts contayned vnder it would not haue beene so wel secured, for a light vi∣olence would easily haue penetrated through a thinne bone: nor yet fast and thicke, for then it would haue beene too great a burden; and therefore it was made neither fast nor thinne; but thicke, rare and cauernous or full of holes. [ta. 9, fig. 11, 12, ^L ta. 10. figure 14. ^c] Thicke for security and strength, and rare that it might not bee a burden, porous also for Transpiration.

It is made of a double scale [ta. 10. fig 14. ^{a o}] which some call Diploas or Laminas, we will cal thē Tables, which are most manifest in the bone of the Forehead, in the Temple∣bones, in the Wedge bones especially about the browes, or where the Scull was to bee * 1.22 made thick, as aboue where there is no flesh; below in the Basis especially about the per∣forations and the cauities to strengthen them. The Tables although they bee hard and somewhat thicke, yet the vtter may sometimes bee eaten away by the French disease and the Patient recouer notwithstanding.

Betwixt these Tables [ta. 10. fig. 14. betwixt ^a & ^{o c}] there is a substance which some haue compared to a Pumie stone, fungous and fistulated manifould, not onely to make the Soull the lighter, but that in the cauities and pores thereof a marrow might bee con∣tayned, in which marrow the bloud and spirits which are powred into it out of the veines and arteries thither ariuing, is boyled for their nourishment, and this the Anatomists call Meditullium. In other parts although it be thinne, yet is it hard and solid, as about the Temples where it is very thinne indeed and giueth way to the Temporall muscles, in the cauity also of the eye where notwithstanding aboue and below it is duplicated.

The outward surface of the Scull is almost euery where equall and smooth, least it * 1.23 should hurt the Periostium wherewith it is compassed: yet in the margents or edges of the forehead bone, and aboue the cauity of the eyes it buncheth somewhat out for more strength: againe, at the sides of the Temples the bones are compressed for the behoofe of the Temporall muscles, and in the Nowle it is exasperated with small knottes or bunches made for the insertions of the muscles. The lower side or the Basis is very vnequall, and rough by reason of the many processes, cauities and swellings of the bones, all which we shall make mention of in their particular History.

The Internall cauity is also for the most part smooth, that the Dura meninx whereby it is compassed might not be offended. In the top as it were of the Helmet it hath shal∣low cauities, in the forehead bone and the bones of the Sinciput, whereto the Dura Me∣ninx * 1.24 doth grow, & inscriptions also or lines for the courses of the veines: but below there are diuers productions, extuberations, & small bosomes made to receiue the different fi∣gures of the parts of the Brayne, the After-brayne and the instruments of the Senses.

Both Tables are perforated with many small holes, thrilled not in order but wildly * 1.25 and as it were at aduenture, and those transuerse or oblique, through which small veines and arteries do passe into the cauity of the inner bones and the sinus of the Dura meninx or hard membrane.

Moreouer the small cauities or dens that are in either Table doe make way for the Transpiration of subtile and thinne vapours, which if they be retayned doe breede giddi∣nes and other diseases. For the head is set aboue the rest of the parts as a roofe vppon a house that is kept hot but without a chimney: whose rafters, because the smoake hath no vent, wil become black and sooty. Beside these, most bones of the head haue their pro∣per perforations, cauities, Sinus or bosomes and processes, of which we shall speak in the particular History of each bone.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Scull
• * 1.2

  Not of one bone.
• * 1.3

  The seames.
• * 1.4

  Their differen¦ces.
• * 1.5

  The Coronall suture.
• * 1.6

  The Lambdal.
• * 1.7

  Sagittalis.
• * 1.8

  The bastar•• sutures.
• * 1.9

  The first.
• * 1.10

  The fift.
• * 1.11

  The sixt.
• * 1.12

  The seuenth.
• * 1.13

  The eight.
• * 1.14

  The ninth.
• * 1.15

  The common sutures of the Scull. The first.
• * 1.16

  The second.
• * 1.17

  The third.
• * 1.18

  The fourth.
• * 1.19

  The fift.
• * 1.20

  The vses of the sutures.
• * 1.21

  The substāce of the scull.
• * 1.22

  The double table.
• * 1.23

  The surface
• * 1.24

  The inner ca∣uity.
• * 1.25

  Perforations.