Structural mechanics of the blowout fracture: numerical computer simulation of orbital deformation by the finite element method

Blowout fractures most frequently involve the orbital floor. The contour of the orbit has been postulated as one of the factors responsible for this phenomenon, but only a few studies have been carried out. The present study was planned to determine the effect of the contour of the orbit when intraorbital pressure is raised to simulate the hydraulic mechanism of blowout fracture. The profile of the orbit was estimated from five dry human skulls, and the measurements were approximated to frame models. The deformation of these models by raised intraorbital pressure was calculated by computer simulation using the finite element method. In all ofthe orbital models, the deformation of the orbital floor was significantly greater than that of the roof. These findings verified that the orbital roof has a higher resistance than the floor against raised intraorbital pressure. We suspect that this resistance is due to the arched shape of the orbital roof, whereas the floor is rather flat.