Anatomy and Differences
Man
Ape
Skull Size
Human brain is three fold more than the average apes’ brain size. It ranges from 1300 cc cm to 1450 cc.
Therefore, the apes have smaller brains, where chimpanzees have between 400-500 cc, orangutans have 365 cc to 425 cc and gorillas have 400-500 cc.
Teeth and Lower Jaw
Human cranium is larger and protruding. Facial portion is smaller than cranial portion
They have a larger facial portion than the cranium portion.
Forehead
Humans have prominent and arched forehead.
Apes lack forehead.
Tuberosities
The frontal and parietal tuberosities become prominent in human cranium.
It is less prominent as compared to humans.
Occipital Bones
Occipital bones are well arched and more protruding than apes.
It is more protruding than humans.
Foramen Magnum
In humans, foramen magnum is anteriorly placed.
In apes, the foramen magnum is placed towards posterior.
Skull Placement
Human skull is well mounted on the top of the vertebral column in a proper balance.
Ape’s skull hangs on the vertebral column.
Nuchal Region
The Nuchal region is comparatively smooth in humans.
Apes have a rugged nuchal region.
Sutures in Cranium
The sutures in human cranium are highly serrated and fused at a very late age and exist throughout one’s life.
The sutures of apes are less serrated and start to fuse at an early age.
Orbits
Human orbits have rectangular and rounded angles.
Here, chimpanzees have elliptical orbit, Orangutan and Gorilla have rounded or oval orbits.
Nasal Bones and Bridges
The nasal bones in humans are short and broad with raised nasal bridges.
Apes lack a nasal bridge completely and in Chimpanzees, it is short and flat while long in Orangutan and wide at base & long in Gorilla.
Nasal Sutures
Nasal sutures are present in humans.
It is present in Chimpanzee but often absent in Orangutan and Gorilla.
Premaxilla
Premaxilla is fused to maxilla in humans.
It is well marked in apes.
Food Habit and Teeth
Humans eat tender and cooked food so we have smaller teeth.
Apes have larger teeth; canines are also larger, appointed sharp and projecting.
Legs and Arms
Legs are longer than arms in humans.
Arms are longer than legs in apes.
Language
Humans make use of many written languages.
Apes do not possess any written language.
Mandibles and Chin
Humans have slender and lighter mandibles or lower jaws with distinct chins.
They have larger and massive mandibles without a chin.
Vertebral Column
Humans have an S shaped vertebral column.
They have a C shaped vertebral column.
Pelvis and Birth Canal
Pelvis and birth canal is basin shaped with broad and short illium.
They have long and flat illium placed on the back of the animal.