[Determination of length, width and height of the human skull by critical use of roentgenologic craniometry methods].

X-ray craniometry has gained in importance for scientific and clinical examination. It enables accurate measurement of shape and structure of the human skull, its characterisation and an accurate description of the type and cause of changes of its shape and components. Roentgenological craniometry is closely related to craniometry of anatomists and anthropologists, but in a few essential points it does differ from it--rather fundamentally, in fact. On using the roentgenological method, the general laws of x-ray imaging must be strictly observed and measurements must be effected only if they are conducted from such points which are roentgenologically clearly defined. Measurements must be definite, repeatable at any time and suitable for comparative purposes. The influence exercised by these conditions becomes noticeable already on determining the three principal dimensions of the cranium. Whereas the x-ray determination of the length and breadth of the cranium is easy to perform and does not present any problem, determination of the "height" of the cranium causes considerable difficulties that are mainly based on the statement of suitable points of measurement. Detailed studies and deliberations have shown that the distance between the vault and the base of the skull can supply a suitable measure for assessing the height of the skull. On lateral x-ray film the distance between the "endobregma" and the "bony floor of the hypophyseal cavity" is a suitable criterion, whereas on the sagittal x-ray films of the skull the criterion is the distance between "bregma" and "hypophyseal basis". The "lateral hypophyseal height of the skull" and the "sagittal hypophyseal height" are largely equal, clearly defined and always repeatable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)