ORBITAL INDEX Meaning and
Definition
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The orbital index is a quantitative measurement used in anthropological and anatomical studies that provides insights into the shape and proportions of the eyes within the human skull. It is determined by comparing the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the eye sockets or orbits.
To calculate the orbital index, the maximum width of the orbit is divided by its vertical height, and the result is then multiplied by 100. This index is often expressed as a percentage.
The orbital index serves as an important tool in studying human skull variations across different populations, as well as in identifying potential distinctions between racial, ethnic, or geographic groups. By examining the orbital index, researchers can gain insights into the adaptations and evolutionary changes that have occurred in different human populations due to their respective environments and selective pressures.
A higher orbital index indicates a relatively wider and more rounded eye socket shape, whereas a lower index suggests a narrower and vertically elongated orbit. The orbital index can be valuable for understanding craniofacial traits, such as eye size and positioning, as well as assessing potential relationships between skull morphology and visual capabilities.
It is worth noting that the orbital index should be used in conjunction with other cranial measurements and population-specific data, as relying solely on this index may oversimplify complex anatomical variations and could lead to incorrect conclusions.
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Relation of the height of the orbit to its width = orbital height x 100/orbital width.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ORBITAL INDEX
- irbital index
- krbital index
- lrbital index
- prbital index
- 0rbital index
- 9rbital index
- oebital index
- odbital index
- ofbital index
- otbital index
- o5bital index
- o4bital index
- orvital index
- ornital index
- orhital index
- orgital index
- orbutal index
- orbjtal index
- orbktal index
- orbotal index
Etymology of ORBITAL INDEX
The term "orbital index" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate words: "orbital" and "index". Here is the etymology of each word:
1. Orbital: The word "orbital" comes from the Latin word "orbis", meaning "circle" or "disk". It originally referred to the path or trajectory of a celestial body, especially a planet, around another body, such as the path of the Earth around the Sun. Over time, the term "orbital" came to be associated with any type of path or trajectory, including the paths of electrons around the nucleus of an atom.
2. Index: The word "index" comes from the Latin word "indēx", meaning "pointer" or "informant". It originally referred to a physical pointer, such as a finger or a needle on a dial.
