title: Female and male orbit asymmetry: Digital analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standard anthropometric methods applied to measurements of the skull differentials are laden with mistakes stemming from the way the measuring devices are built and from a lack of experience on the part of the researchers. To increase objectivity, digital imaging measurements via computer systems were introduced.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to assess the asymmetry of the male and female orbit with the application of the new graphic methods: raster graphics and vector graphics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The examination was conducted on 184 well-preserved skulls. The photos were taken by a digital camera with high definition. Orbit asymmetry was examined by determining the distance between the centers of gravity of both orbits and the frontal median line d1 and d2. Then angles α and β were appointed. They are defined as angles between the line that runs through craniometrical points mf and ek on the right side (angle α) and on the left side (angle β), and the frontal median line at their crossing point. Distances r2 and r1, which are allocated points between the frontal median lines (LPP), were also set.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angles α and β were also analyzed while comparing the skulls of both genders. Statistically significant differences were only observed in male skulls. However, differences for both genders were noted in parameters d1 and d2. No statistically significant differences were discovered between men and women for parameters r1 and r2. The groups of women and men were merged, being treated as a population; which resulted in the conclusion that there are no statistically significant differences between these parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The skull's asymmetry connected to gender and the asymmetry of the right and left sides of examined craniums can be used in criminal examinations as well as in facial reconstructive surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lepich
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Józefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dąbek
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Witkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jura-Szołtys
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bajor
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
keywords: anthropometric methods; asymmetry; orbit