Measurements of Asymmetric Dimensions in Human Skull

Hafezi, F; Azarbakhsh, M; Naghibzadeh, B; Kazemi Ashtiani, A

Measurements of Asymmetric Dimensions in Human Skull

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

F Hafezi ¹

M Azarbakhsh ²

B Naghibzadeh ³

A Kazemi Ashtiani ⁴

¹ Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Burn Research Center, Fatima Hospital, Tehran, Iran

² General practitioner

³ Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Loghman Hakim Hospital

⁴ Associate Professor, Department of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital (S)

Abstract

Introduction & Objective: Asymmetry of body and face is possessed in common between vertebrates especially in human. After years of plastic surgery practice and examining many patients, we noticed that there is a considerable occurrence of asymmetry among them. Most patients show the bigger left side of the face comparing to the right side. These findings lead us to do a more accurate study on natural human skulls. Materials & Methods: On thirty-four natural human skulls we marked cephalometric points, and took pictures from the anterior, both laterals and superior views, and did standard digital photography. We did exact measurements of 19 different distances between points, with the Image j software (National institute of health). Results: After comparing between left and right side measurements, we found out that the left orbit is longer and wider and also the left orbital area is bigger than right side. Measuring the lateral sides of the twenty completed skulls (including mandibles) showed that mandibular body is longer on the right side view but wider on the left side in the anterior view. Conclusions: Asymmetry and laterality of the face and body is a common rule between animals and humans. The correlation of this asymmetry between left and right sides in human skulls is our new finding. With this concept, both patients and surgeon will be aware of the natural anatomical variations and will have a better prediction of surgical outcome.

Keywords

Asymmetric Growth

Human Skulls

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