Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Orbital Fractures
Published on: May 16, 2025
Is orbital volume associated with eyeball and visual cortex volume in humans?
1Department of Anthropology, University of Oxford , 64 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6PN , UK .
Background:
In humans orbital volume increases linearly with absolute latitude. Scaling across mammals between visual system components suggests that these larger orbits should translate into larger eyes and visual cortices in high latitude humans. Larger eyes at high latitudes may be required to maintain adequate visual acuity and enhance visual sensitivity under lower light levels.
Aim:
To test the assumption that orbital volume can accurately index eyeball and visual cortex volumes specifically in humans.
Subjects And Methods:
Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques are employed to measure eye and orbit (n = 88) and brain and visual cortex (n = 99) volumes in living humans. Facial dimensions and foramen magnum area (a proxy for body mass) were also measured.
Results:
A significant positive linear relationship was found between (i) orbital and eyeball volumes, (ii) eyeball and visual cortex grey matter volumes and (iii) different visual cortical areas, independently of overall brain volume.
Conclusion:
In humans the components of the visual system scale from orbit to eye to visual cortex volume independently of overall brain size. These findings indicate that orbit volume can index eye and visual cortex volume in humans, suggesting that larger high latitude orbits do translate into larger visual cortices.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Eyeball
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Vision
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

