Evaluation of the Volumetric Relation between Cranial Cavity and Orbits

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the volume of orbits and cranial cavity and to evaluate the relation between their volumes. Material and Methods: Twenty dry skulls of 10 men and 10 women were used for this study. Water filling method was used to measure the volumes of cranial cavity and orbits. The holes of the both cavities had been sealed before they were filled by the jelly material. The filling jelly was poured into a graduated cylinder to measure the volume of the subjected cavities. Results: The mean cranial volume was 1262 +/- 156.6 cm(3) (+/- SD) and the mean volume of the two orbits was 43.9 +/- 8.4 cm(3) (+/- SD). The mean cranial volumes of males and females were different (p<0.05). The mean volumes of the right and the left orbits did not differ between the genders (p>0.05). There was a high correlation between the volumes of skull and the sum of right and left orbital volumes (r = 0.714; p<0.01). Conclusion: The mean cranial volumes of males and females were concordant with the classical knowledge of the difference of the body volumes of males and females. There was a high correlation between orbital volumes and the cranial volumes; bigger craniums had bigger orbits. These findings indicate a relationship between volumes of the structures of the body.