(N) ever enough can yet (N) ever still be more Sample size (N) considerations for assessing the morpho-mechanical link

Neils Hammer

Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, Graz, Austria

At which accuracy can biomechanical data be obtained if only a limited number of samples is available? To answer this question, a large-sized data set of the human layered neurocranium obtained in a highly standardized experimental setup was utilized for a simulation study. It could be shown that the accuracy which can be achieved appears to be dependent on the type of parameter and statistic, whereas tissue morphology appears to play a subordinate role.