Human bite force in psi

Updated: Mar 2, Do you know which animal has the strongest bite?

This is possible with the help of such a huge bite force. One reason is that our jaws are smaller compared to other animals. Additionally, our teeth are not as sharp and pointy as those of other animals. These factors play a big role in our weaker bite force. However, our molars exert a bite force that beats the likes of primates like orangutans and gibbons, but gorillas and chimpanzees have stronger bites. Although human bite force is quite low, it is quite impressive for primates our size.

Human bite force in psi

The human bite force ranges widely depending on factors like age, gender, and jaw size. According to scientific measurements, the average bite force is between pounds per square inch PSI. However, bite force can vary substantially between individuals. Human skin strength also varies depending on age, health, hydration and location on the body. The skin on our hands and feet is much thicker and more durable than the relatively thin skin covering our faces and necks. The average force needed to puncture human skin with a sharp object is around PSI. But when it comes to resisting the stresses of compression and shearing from a bite, skin can withstand approximately PSI before lacerating. Since human bite force can potentially exceed the tearing strength of skin, bites can definitely break the skin under certain conditions. In fact, the medical literature contains many reports of human bites causing skin wounds severe enough to require sutures and antibiotic treatment. Humans normally have rounded molars better suited for grinding food, and chisel-shaped incisors. But some people have sharper canine teeth, while poor dental health can also leave teeth with jagged, pointy edges.

The largest ever recorded canine tooth for a hippo comes in at a whopping cm! Along with their strong jaws and broad molars, these doglike carnivorous mammals ensure no part of the carcass goes to waste. Hyenas can grip and tear through tough meat and crush bones.

The average strength of a human bite is pounds per square inch PSI , but this pales in comparison to nature's champion chompers. The bite force of an animal is largely dependent on jaw muscles, as well as jawbone and surface area of the teeth — but it also depends on the size of their lunch. Bite force is measured in pounds per square inch, psi. In other words, the pressure that the animal exerts on its food, or unlucky prey. Researchers have used computer models based on multiple X-ray images generated by a computerised tomography CT scanner of shark skulls, to estimate the bite force of a great white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Depending on the size of the shark, the team, led by Prof Steve Wroe , estimated a bite force of nearly 4,psi, putting the Great White firmly in second position for the strongest bite force.

Three-dimensional models of hominoid skulls used in the study — a Hylobates lar ; b Pongo pygmaeus ; c Pan troglodytes ; d Gorilla gorilla ; e Australopithecus africanus ; f Paranthropus boisei ; g Homo sapiens. From Wroe et al, It is all too easy to think of human evolution in linear terms. From our 21st century vantage point we can look back through Deep Time for the first glimmerings of the traits we see in ourselves, and despite what we have come to know about the undirected, branching pattern of evolution, the origin of our species is often portrayed as a slow rise from the ape in which brains eventually overtook brute strength. One of the most prominent examples of this was modifications made to our jaws. It has been widely assumed that, compared to apes and our extinct hominin relatives, we have relatively weak jaws — why should we need to exert heavy bite forces if our lineage developed tools to process food before it entered our mouths? It was our relatives among the robust australopithecines — namely Paranthropus — which obviously developed the strongest jaws, but a new study just published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B questions these long-held assumptions. As outlined in the introduction of the paper by Stephen Wroe, Toni Ferrara, Colin McHenry, Darren Curnoe, and Uphar Chamoli, the hypothesis that our species has a diminished bite force has primarily been based upon the study of other, obviously heavier-jawed hominins.

Human bite force in psi

Federal government websites often end in. The site is secure. Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October Learn More or Try it out now. Ontogenetic changes in the human masticatory complex suggest that bite force, a key measure of chewing performance, increases throughout growth and development. Current published bite force values for humans exist for molar and incisal biting, but few studies measure bite forces across all tooth types, or measure bite force potentials in subjects of different ages. In the absence of live data, models of bite force such as the Constrained Lever Model CLM , are employed to predict bite force at different bite points for adults, but it is unclear whether such a model can accurately predict bite force potentials for juveniles or subadults.

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All rights reserved. This means that our thumbs can touch the tips of our other fingers. Our brains have also evolved to allow us to cook our food, which breaks down tough fibers and makes it easier to eat. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. Post not marked as liked 1. While some animals, like alligators and lions, can chomp down with over 1, pounds of force, the average human bite force is only around — pounds of force. Recent Posts See All. It lights up the faces, connects you…. That means the Nile crocodile, at the top of our list, has a bite force of over 30 times more powerful than a human! Since human bite force can potentially exceed the tearing strength of skin, bites can definitely break the skin under certain conditions. The world record for the strongest human bite was set by Richard Hoffman, with a bite force more than six times more powerful than the average human. Bull Sharks have an estimated max bite force of PSI, and the strongest bite force of all sharks. Males can grow up to 7m in length and weigh in at around 1,kg, with the females being slightly smaller. However, our molars exert a bite force that beats the likes of primates like orangutans and gibbons, but gorillas and chimpanzees have stronger bites.

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All rights reserved. The average strength of a human bite is pounds per square inch PSI , but this pales in comparison to nature's champion chompers. With one powerful bite to the back of the skull, they can take down animals up to four times their own weight. Jaw muscles: The muscles that control the movement of the jaw. Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos. Share Twitter Pinterest. Additionally, our teeth are not as sharp and pointy as those of other animals. Spotted Hyenas have a fearsome bite force of PSI. Bite Force in psi. The average force needed to puncture human skin with a sharp object is around PSI. However, our molars exert a bite force that beats the likes of primates like orangutans and gibbons, but gorillas and chimpanzees have stronger bites. Post not marked as liked 1. This allows us to hold and use tools, which is a big part of what makes us human. We have developed tools like knives and forks that make cutting and eating food much easier. Despite their powerful bite, gorillas are largely vegetarian.