Usura Orbitae (Cribra Orbitalia) in the Collection of Crania in the Anatomy Department of the University of Glasgow

Abstract

Seven hundred and forty-three crania (predominantly of Scottish origin and of 18th century date) in the Collection of the Anatomy Department of the University of Glasgow were studied. As anticipated, no example of facies leprosa was discovered and only two examples of syphilitic osteitis were noted. The incidence of usura orbitae (cribra orbitalia) was 52% for children, 6.6% for adults and 8.0% for all age groups. These findings are in accord with the known low incidence in European peoples. Usura orbitae is, however, valueless as an ethnic index and may represent a pathological change, the aetiology of which is at present obscure.