Morphometric studies of the postnatal development of the articular system of the bulbus oculi in rabbits

The postnatal development of oculo-motor reactions is probably caused partly by changes of the passive mechanical properties of the bulb joint system. The YOUNG's elasticity modulus seems to be a suitable parameter to describe these changes. For its calculation, the length and the cross section area of the extraocular muscles as well as the dimensions of the ocular bulb are necessary. Moreover, the bulb mass is needed to analyse the inertia of the bulb during each movement. The postnatal growth of these parameters was investigated and, by means of the linear regression analysis, we looked for the best fitted mathematical expression. By this, there is the possibility to estimate the morphological data for detailed longitudinal analysis of changes of the oculo-motor function if the age and the body mass, are known.