Hard Tissue Cephalometric Analysis

Cephalometrics literally means “measuring the head” as translated from the Greek words kaphalakis and metron. Cephalometric developed as a result of measurements made by anthropologists using craniometric measurements of skulls stabilized in a Craniostat. The development of Cephalostat in the early 1930’s resulted in cephalometrics becoming not only popular as a clinical tool but also valuable as a method for studying growth and developmental changes. Before the development of X-ray a scientific approach to the scrutiny of human craniofacial patterns was first initiated by anthropologists who recorded the various dimensions of ancient dry skulls. The measurement of dry skull from osteological landmarks called Craniometry was then applied to living subjects so that a longitudinal growth study could be undertaken and this technique of measuring the head of living subjects by using the soft tissue points overlying the bony landmarks is called Anthropometry.