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Zepa I, Hurmerinta K et al. Acta Odontol Scand 2003; 61: 149–153

There is contradictory evidence on the association of spinal and craniofacial deformities. This was the first study to examine the relationship of trunk and facial symmetry. A cohort of 1060 Finnish children aged 11 yrs had been followed for another 11 yrs in a spinal growth study. In 79 of these patients, trunk asymmetry with or without thoracic kyphosis was identified. In these subjects, frontal cephalograms were taken in a carefully-defined position, and several landmarks were examined.

In 51 subjects, the cervical spine inclined to the right, and in 28, to the left, which accords with previous findings. There was no significant difference between these groups in respect of several craniofacial morphological landmarks. The authors consider visual perception to be the most important determinant of head position in young adults.