Shrinkage porosity and metal expansion penetration are two fundamental defects appearing during the production of complex shaped lamellar cast iron components. Simplified test models simulating the thermal and geometrical conditions existing in complex shaped castings have been successfully used to provoke shrinkage porosity and metal expansion penetration. A stereological investigation of the primary dendrite morphology indicates a maximum intra-dendritic space in connection with the casting surface where the porosity and the penetration defects appear. Away from the defect formation area the intra-dendritic space decreases. Comparison of the simulated local solidification times and measured intra-dendritic space indicates a strong relation which can be explained by the dynamic ripening process. The slow local solidification time situated at the boundary between the casting surface and its surrounding is explained to be the reason for the formation of an austenite morphology which can promote mass flow between dendrites, thereby provoking shrinkage porosity or metal expansion penetration.