The relationship between cranial base and maxillo-facial morphology in Egyptian children.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the cranial base and maxillo-facial morphology in Egyptian children. Data were obtained from 95 lateral cephalograms for 61 boys and 34 girls aged from 7.5 to 9.5 years with mean age 8.5 years. Eighteen linear and 14 angular measurements were derived from 40 landmarks and recorded from the standardized radiographs that were traced following methods formerly defined and described. A principal component analysis of linear and angular measurements showed that anterior and posterior cranial base lengths and cranial base angle were closely associated in different ways with different aspects of maxillo-facial morphology in both sexes. This was more pronounced in boys. A significant positive relationship was found between anterior cranial base length and most of the variables describing the maxillo-facial morphology in both sexes. Posterior cranial base length was significantly correlated to the facial depth. The cranial base angle showed a significant negative correlation with the antero-posterior position of maxilla and mandible (SNA=-0.34, SNB=-0.27 and ANB=-0.24). In conclusion, cranial base configuration plays an important role in maxillo-facial morphology.