Sex-specific correlations between orbital volume and anthropometric characteristics in Taiwanese adults

Background/purpose

There is no study available addressing the relationship between orbital volume (OV) and skeletal patterns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the OV and patient's characteristics (sex, age, height, and skeletal patterns) of Taiwanese adults.

Materials and methods

Cone-beam computed tomography images of 94 individuals (men: 47; women: 47) were analyzed to measure their OV and maxillary dimensions. The Student t test was used to compare the OVs of men and women. The correlations between the OV and skeletal patterns (Classes I, II, and III) were investigated through one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Bonferroni correction.

Results

The mean OV was significantly larger in the men than in the women (25.67 ± 1.89 cm³ vs 22.21 ± 1.23 cm³, respectively). In men with a Class I, II, or III skeletal pattern, the mean OV was 25.50 ± 1.70 cm³, 26.42 ± 2.17 cm³, and 25.14 ± 1.62 cm³, respectively. The mean OV was significantly larger in individuals with a skeletal Class II relationship than in those with a skeletal Class I and Class III relationship. The mean OVs (right OV, left OV and total OV) and maxillary dimensions were significant correlated with height. No significant differences were noted in skeletal patterns in the sex-specific group.

Conclusion

Men tend to have a larger OV than do women. The OV and maxillary dimensions were significantly correlated with height. Furthermore, the OV does not vary significantly between sex-specific groups with different skeletal patterns.