European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 18 - Number 4
Eur J Anat, 18 (4): 303-315 (2014)

Morphometric analysis of the orbit in adult Egyptian skulls and its surgical relevance

Fathy A. Fetouh and Dalia Mandour

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to measure the bony orbit in adult Egyptian skulls and to assess side and sex differences. 52 dry skulls (30 males and 22 females) were used. The measurements included orbital height, orbital breadth, orbital index, orbital rim perimeter, orbital opening area, orbital bony volume and the distances between the defined landmarks and the fissures and foramina in the 4 orbital walls. Also, different shapes and locations of the inferior orbital fissure were assessed. The mean orbital height was 35.57 mm in males and 35.12 mm in females. The mean orbital breadth was 43.25 mm in males and 42.37 mm in females. The mean orbital index was 82.27 in males and 82.5 in females. The mean orbital rim perimeter was 12.60 cm in males and 12.28 cm in females. The mean orbital opening area was 12.08 cm² in males and 11.71 cm² in females and the mean orbital volume was 28.75 ml in males and 25.68 ml in females. In the superior wall, the mean distances from the supraorbital foramen to the superior orbital fissure and to the optic canal were 46.23 mm and 49.64 mm respectively in males and 45.26 mm and 48.16 mm in females. In the medial wall, the mean distances from the anterior lacrimal crest to the anterior ethmoidal foramen, to the posterior ethmoidal foramen, and to the optic canal were 26.76 mm, 35.39 mm, 47.25 mm respectively in males and 26.17 mm, 35.26 mm, 46.21 mm in females. In the inferior wall, the mean distances from the inferior orbital rim above the inferior orbital foramen to the inferior orbital fissure, to the posterior margin of the inferior orbital canal, and to the optic canal were 24.62 mm, 29.16 mm, 51.76 mm respectively in males and 23.60 mm, 27.98 mm, 50.53 mm in females. In the lateral wall, the mean distances from the frontozygomatic suture to the superior orbital fissure, to the inferior orbital fissure and to the optic canal were 39.94 mm, 29.08 mm, 44.25 mm respectively in males and 39.12 mm, 27.32 mm, 43.58 mm in females. The inferior orbital fissure was located in the inferolateral quadrant of the orbit, and 5 different types were observed in which the wide type was most frequent. Statistically significant side and sex differences were found.

Keywords: Morphometry, Orbit, Surgical anatomy

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)