CRANIOMETRY

Craniometry is a technique used to measure skull and determine human nature.

While Phrenology is the study of character and personality and physiognomy is the study of
facial features, Craniometry technique difference from the former studies as it is a technique
that involves the measurement of bones of the skull. It claims to be able to predict the
intelligence and nature of human being. Craniometry was practised a lot in 19Th century
and first part of 20Th century.

Image source
Georges Vacher de Lapouge became responsible for introducing the trend of dividing
human beings into different races from Aryans to Ancient Greek and coming up with new
conclusions based on the measurement of skull. After six years another pioneer of
Craniometry came up with “facial angle” a measure that can be used to determine
intelligence among different species.
According to the “facial angle” technique two lines were determined- one from nostril to the
earn and the other from the advanced part of the upper jawbone to the forehead. Pieter
Camper explanation concludes that angle of 80 degree for Europeans, 70 for black people
etc.
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In modern times Craniometry is used to derive data that can be used to compare animal
species and to study the evolution of human species in archeology.
 Craniometry is concerned with the technique of measurement on the
cranium and face of the skeleton. Craniometry includes measurement of
different types, for example liner, angular, depth, volume, arc, etc. and
hence, different types of instrument are needed to take different types of
measurements. Some measurement are taken directly taken on the skull,
while others are measured on the tracking of the skull. Direct measurements
are taken allowing the skull to rest on a pad or by mounting it on a
craniphore. Tracing is done with help of a set of instruments designed for the
purpose.
Cranial landmark are well defined and are easier to locate in comparison
to those used in somatometry. As in somatometry, in Craniometry also it is
always necessary to have full knowledge about the landmarks, to locate
them accurately, and then to take the measurement correctly following the
standard technique.
In times of measuring a skull record should be kept as regards its
identification (skulls preserved in Museum and laboratory are appropriately
numbered and that must be noted) as well as the date and the place of
taking measurement along with the investigator‘s name.
In order to take measurement, more particular measurement, the skulls
must be oriented on a fixed plane, which must be well defined and accepted
by all workers.One of this plane is the FRANKFURT HORIZONATL (F.H)
PLANE. This is an internationally accepted standard procedure. When the
right and left porion (the deepest point on the upper margin of the external
auditory meatus) and the orbital, preferably the left one, if not the two (the
deepest on the inferior margin if the orbit ) of the skull are on the same
horizontal plane, it is said to be on the Frankfurt horizontal plane. This plane
is used as a constant plane in measuring and describing a skull.
Another plane known as NASION-INION PLANE is used to take a few
angular measurements. When the nasion and inion are on the same
horizontal plane, it is called nasion-inion plane.
Numerous measurements and indices have been proposed by different
scholars. Here, however a limited number of those have been included.
The shape and size of the skull of man and his near relatives, the primates –
both living and extinct – can be obtained by Craniometry. The values thus
obtained can be fruitfully and meaningfully compared. This sort of study
comparatively anatomy helps to establish the phylogenic relationship among
them and thereby to learn about the evolutionary trends in man and
primates. The correlations among the different parts of the skull can be
established through Craniometry , and such the missing portions of a skull
can be reconstructed . Moreover a skull can be reconstructed from the
available measurements of the skull even if it destroyed or lost.

INSTRUMENTS

Spreading Caliper (of Martin):

The spreading caliper consists of two long arms, the upper half of which
are curved outwards, while the ends of the other half are screwed together
in such a manner so that the free parts of the arms can be moved freely.
One end of a straight scale is fixed at the middle of one the arms keeping
the other end free. The scale passes through a socket fixed on the other
arm. The free ends of the two long arms are provided either with small
knob- like structures or with pointed ends. The first type is used for
taking measurements on the body, while the second type is used for
measurements on the skeleton. The scale is graduated proportionately to the
distances between the two free ends of curved arms. This instrument is used
for taking such measurements on head, face, etc., where curved areas are
involved. The spreading calipers are of two sizes. The larger one is called
Pelvimeter, which is commonly used for taking measurements on the pelvic
region.

Sliding Caliper (of Martin):

The sliding caliper consists of a long straight scale graduated on both

the sides and two cross bars. One of the crossbars is fixed at one end of the
scale, while the other parallel to the first one can be slided over the scale
with the help of a socket provided with ascrew to be used to fix the socket at
any place. Each crossbar has two ends, of which one is blunt, and the other
is sharp and pointed. The blunt and the sharp ends are used for taking
measurements on the body and the respectively. The scale is graduated
starting from the fixed end upto 200 mm. Again, from the free end also it is
graduated upto 50 mm. The second graduation is used while taking
certain depth measurements, when the movable socket is fitted on the scale
in the reverse order.

Measurements of the Cranium

1.) Maximum Cranial Length (g-op): The straight distance from
the glabella to the opisthocranion. Glabella (g) is the most prominent
point between the two superaorbital ridges above the fronto-nasal suture in
the mid-sagittal plane. Opisthocranion (op) is the most posterior point
from the glabella in the mid-sagittal plane, excluding the inion.
Instrument used: Spreading Caliper.

2.) Maximum Cranial Breadth (eu-eu): The straight distance between

the two euryon points. Euryon (eu) is the most lateral point on the skull,
which can only be determained by measuring the maximum cranial breadth,
as it is variable.
Instrument used: Spreading Caliper.

3.)Basion-Bregma or Basilo-Bregmatic Height (ba-b): The straight

distance from the basion to bregma. Basion (ba) is the lowest point on the
external surface of the anterior margin of foramen magnum in the mid-
sagittal plane. Bregma (b) is the meeting point of the sagittal and coronal
sutures.
Instrument used: Sliding Caliper.

4.)Upper Facial Height (n-pr): The straight distance from the nasion (n)
to prosthion (pr). Nasion (n) is the meeting point of the fronto-nasal and
inter-nasal sutures. If this junction is not in the mid-sagittal plane, then the
mid-sagittal plane of the fronto-nasal suture is taken as the
nasion. Prosthion (pr) is the lowest point of the intermaxillar y suture on
the alveolar border between the two middle incisors.
Instrument used: Sliding Caliper.

5.)Nasal Breadth (al-al): The maximum breadth between the two lateral
margins of the nasal apertures.
Instrument used: Sliding Caliper.

6.)Nasal Height (n-ns): The straight distance from

the nasion to nasospinale. Nasospinale (ns) is the point where a line
touching the lower margin of the nasal aperture crosses the mid-sagittal
plane
Instrument used: Sliding Caliper.

7.) Bizygometic Breadth (zy-zy): The straight distance from

one zygion to the other. Zygion (zy) is the most lateral point of the
zygomatic arch.
Instrument used: Sliding Caliper.
Indices
As in the case of head of a person, in the case of the skull also many
indices can be calculated obtain the relationship between two absolute
measurements. Here, however mention of a few important indices with their
respective formulae and classification will be made.

1.Cranial Index

Max. Cranial Breadth x 100 / Max. Cranial Length

Classes Ranges (According to Garson)

Ultradolichocranial -64.9
Hyperdolichocranial 65.0 – 69.9
Dolichocraniual 70.0 – 74.9
Mesocranial 75.0 – 79.9
Brachycranial 80.0 – 84.9
Hyperbrachycranial 85.0 – 89.9
Ultrabrachycranial 90.0 +

2.) Length- Height Cranial Index or Vertical Index

Basion – Bregma Height x 100 / Max. Carnial Length

Classes Ranges(according to Martin and Saller)

Chamaecrianial - 69.9
Orthocranial 70.0 – 74.9
Hypsicranial 75.0 +

3.) Breadth – Height Carnial Index or Transverse Vertical Index

Basion – Bregma Height x 100 / Max. Cranial Breadth

Classes Ranges(according to Martin and Saller)

Tapeinocranial -91.9
Metriocranial 92.0 – 97.9
Acrocranial 98.0 +

4.) Upper Facial Index

Upper Facial Height x 100 / Bizygomatic Breadth

Classes Ranges(according to Martin and Saller)

Hypereuryne -44.9
Euryene 45.0 – 49.9
Mesene 50.0 – 54.9
Lepetene 55.0 – 59.9
Hyperieptene 60.0 +

5.) Nasal Index

Upper Facial Height x 100 / Bizygomatic Breadth

Classes Ranges(according to Martin and Saller)

Hypereuryne -44.9
Euryene 45.0 – 49.9
Mesene 50.0 – 54.9
Lepetene 55.0 – 59.9
Hyperieptene 60.0 +
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