An analysis of basicranial axis form.

2 dimensional basicranial form was defined by linear dimensions, Fourier coefficients and medial axis lengths from lateral cephalographs of age-sex matched samples of microcephalics, macrocephalics and normocephalics. The resultant analyses revealed relatively minor contrasts in basicranial form compared with that of the neurocranium. The patterns of contrast between the 3 samples however varied depending upon the technique of data analysis. Thus further study is required before the validity of basicranial form as a reference plane for cephalometric analysis can be evaluated.