COMPARISON OF AGE-RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF CEPHALOMETRIC INDICATORS: BIORBITAL BREADTH (EC-EC) AND INTERORBITAL BREADTH (D-D) IN ARTIFICIALLY DEFORMED AND NORMAL SKULLS.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the age-related characteristics of two craniofacial measurements-biorbital breadth (ec-ec) and interorbital breadth (d-d)-between artificially deformed and normal skulls.

Materials and methods: A total of 254 skulls (200 without artificial deformation and 54 with deformation) from the craniological collection of Azerbaijan Medical University were analyzed. Skulls were categorized by sex and age groups, following a classification system adopted from the 1965 VII All-Union Conference. Cephalometric measurements were taken using electronic and sliding calipers. Statistical analysis included mean values, standard deviation, and 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Across all age groups, skulls with artificial deformation generally exhibited greater mean biorbital and interorbital breadths compared to non-deformed skulls. For example, in the second adulthood group, the average biorbital breadth was 97.2 mm in deformed skulls versus 91.8 mm in non-deformed skulls. Similarly, interorbital breadth was consistently wider in deformed skulls across age subgroups. These findings suggest a measurable impact of artificial cranial deformation on orbital dimensions.

Conclusion: Artificial cranial deformation significantly influences cephalometric parameters of the orbital region. Both biorbital and interorbital breadths were consistently larger in deformed skulls across all age groups. These differences are important for anthropological research, forensic identification, and clinical applications, highlighting the need to consider cranial deformation when interpreting craniofacial measurements in diverse populations.