NORMAL AND ABNORMAL INTERORBITAL DISTANCES, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MONGOLISM

Abstract

1. The interorbital distance of normal children, as determined roentgenographically, has been measured using a larger number of samples than previously reported. This allows more accurate standards than available before.2. The interorbital distance in a group of 46 patients with mongolism, or Down's syndrome, has been determined and is shown to be significantly decreased in the majority of patients, indicating orbital hypotelorism.3. Orbital hypotelorism in mongolism, as in arhinencephaly and/or trigonocephaly, is apparently secondary to primary hypoplasia of the central facial structures.4. Evidence has been presented suggesting that the upward obliquity of the lateral palpebral fissures and the persistent epicanthal folds in mongolism are secondary to relative hypoplasia of the bony central facial structures.