The shape of the cranium varies widely among members of the order Carnivora, but the factors that drive the evolution of differences in shape remain unclear. Selection for increased bite force, bite speed or skull strength may all affect cranial morphology. We investigated the relationship between cranial form and function in the trophically diverse dog family, Canidae, using linear morphometri...

Electromyographic (EMG) activity versus bite force was studied during a gradually increased isometric contraction up to maximal effort for patients with painful masseter muscles and referents. The masseter muscle, the anterior temporal muscle and the descending part of the trapezius muscle were chosen for the recordings. Bite force was registered with a bite force sensor placed between the firs...

AIM The role of parafunctional masticatory muscle activity in tooth loss has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to reveal the characteristic activity of masseter muscles in bite collapse patients while awake and asleep. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six progressive bite collapse patients (PBC group), six age- and gender-matched control subjects (MC group), and six young control subjects (YC g...

OBJECTIVE Previous reports indicated that between-muscle substitution of active motor unit pools can be found in a variety of synergist muscles, including shoulder and leg muscles, but little information is available for the masticatory muscles. We hypothesized that, during a prolonged clenching effort performed at low- to moderate-bite force levels, a substitution pattern of activity can be fo...