Nasofacial and canthal morphometric analysis of Benue Indigenes in central Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Interest in facial morphology continues to increase due to its importance in establishing identity within the human populationamong other things. This study was conducted to establish nasofacial and canthal types in indigenes of Benue State in CentralNigeria.Materials and Methods: Measurements of face height and width, nasal height and width and inner and outer canthal distances weretaken from a sample of 210 subjects (mean age 23.11±3.45 years). The measurements were made using a 30cm sliding calipers anda 150mm electronic digital caliper.Results: Showed that mean facial height and width in males were 110.40±8.50mm and 132.16±7.15mm respectively while femaleshad 103.61±7.60mm and 128.32±6.95mm correspondingly. Consequently, the facial form for both genders was euryprosopic. Meannasal height in males was 42.99±3.94mm while mean nasal width was 41.59±5.07mm. Similarly, mean nasal height in females was39.39±3.82mm and mean nasal width was 38.44±4.43mm. The resulting nasal type was platyrrhine in both males and females. Meaninner and outer canthal distances in males were found to be 33.63±3.61mm and 104.20±9.11mm respectively. In females, thesedistances were found to be 32.68±3.39 and 102.71±5.76 respectively. Accordingly, closed type of canthal index was established.Conclusion: Both genders had the same face, nose and canthal types. Sexual dimorphism exists in the measured parameters, exceptwith inner and outer canthal distances.