Cephalometric and craniometric age changes in adult humans.

Thirty-three cephalometric and craniometric measurements were made on lateral radiographs of 154 males and 199 females, aged 21-83 years, from Vienna, Austria. The measurements were studied in age-groups by univariate and multivariate analyses. The results showed that the height dimensions of the face and viscerocranium increase up to the fourth decade but then decrease, while the height dimensions of the neurocranium decrease progressively with advancing age. However, the latter findings could possibly also reflect a secular trend. The thickness of the soft tissues showed continuous increases throughout the series, especially along the lower face. Although the age changes were greater in cephalometric than in the craniometric dimensions, those of the skull were also statistically significant. Using discriminant analysis on the cephalometric data results in correct assignment of 63.32% of females to their age-group but only 58.44% in males. The higher correct assignment of the females could have been due to their larger sample size.