title: The natural head position. Different techniques of head positioning in the study of craniocervical posture.
abstract: The aim of this paper was to describe the most important definitions of head posture and the most important methodology to get an natural head posture. After a careful analysis of the literature with no limitations of language or time period, 31 papers were selected. Relevant information was also derived from reference lists of the publications retrieved. The key words used in the search were head posture, cranio-cervical posture, cephalometric analysis, natural head position, lateral cephalometric radiographs, cephalostat, self balance position, mirror position. The definitions of natural head position are various. An accurate head posture registration is time consuming and not particularly feasible on a clinical field. Nevertheless it is possible to apply a craniostat to the patient before the execution of the radiograph without modifying the NHP. The execution of radiographs of the craniocervical zone is connected to the correct position of the head. The NHP is a reproducible positions, and can be useful for making comparisons at any time in the case of the same patient or in comparing different patients cephalometrically.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthodontics, Department of Dental Sciences G. Messina University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. cucciaam@odonto.unipa.it
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cuccia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caradonna
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture