Determination of Types of Orbit by Orbital Index in Dry Skulls of North India

Abstract

Introduction: Morphometry of orbit which includes measurement of orbital height and orbital breadth is an important craniofacial parameter. It has been used extensively and successfully in anthropology for identification of human beings in medico-legal cases. The measurement of orbital height and breadth determines the orbital index which is helpful in identifying types of orbit and races. Very few studies have been conducted in North Indian population for determination of Orbital Index, thus the present study was done to further substantiate the available data.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 50 dried skulls which were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Lucknow and Career Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Lucknow, after taking Institutional Research and Ethical Committee clearance. Distance between Dacryon and Ectochion were measured for breadth and orbital height to obtain Orbital Index. Measurements were taken with the skull in Frankfurt’s plane. Results and Conclusion: In the present study the mean Orbital Index (OI) was 85.38 ± 5.11 on right side and 85.90 ± 4.6 on left side. Values are not statistically significantly different (p>0.05). The orbit was thus categorized under Mesoseme (OI: 84-89) category. The study also concludes that variation & different categories can be found within the same population.