1Biomechanics Research Center, Wayne State University
Experiments have been conducted on seven cadavers to determine the nature of the response of the facial bones to impact with another body. The behavior of the individual facial bones, in particular the zygoma and the zygomatic arch, as a function of each of the several parameters such as velocity, mass energy, acceleration, padding, physical characteristics of bone, etc., are shown. Values are given for these parameters at fracture. Fist blows and falls are compared to equivalent controlled energy blows in the laboratory. It is shown that good correlation can be obtained between a mathematical model of the facial bones at impact and experimental results.