Anthropometric Analysis of Nasolabial Region and Age-Related Changes in Adult Women.

Abstract

The nasal and labial characteristics along with the other facial characteristics are different between races. The purpose of this study is to identify nasal and labial features of Turkish women by anthropometric measurements and indices besides to detect variances with aging. The study was conducted with total 302 women volunteers whose ages were between 19 and 85. The women included were divided into 3 groups according to their ages; respectively young (ages between 19 and 44), middle-aged (45-59) and senior (>60). By using camera footages with the IT version 3.00 software program, anthropometric measurements of the nasolabial region was performed. The mean nasal length of the included participants was measured as 38.56 ± 8.32 mm while mean nasal height was 50.05 ± 8.36 mm. Mean nasal root width was 13.24 ± 2.70 mm, mean morphological nasal width was 32.16 ± 5.80 mm and mean anatomical nasal width was 27.85 ± 4.92 mm. In addition, mean nasal depth was 19.55 ± 5.25 mm.In the middle-aged group of participants, the nasal length was more than senior group (P < 0.05). Nasal root width was increased with aging (P < 0.05). Morphological and anatomical widths of the nose were increased with aging but increase rate was lower in the senior group (P < 0.05). The nasal depth was lower in the young group in comparison with middle-aged and senior groups (P < 0.05). When nostril types were analyzed; ratios of 'teardrop', 'heart-shaped', 'annular' and 'triangular' types were 51.65%, 0.99%, 6.95%, and 40.39%, respectively. To be acquainted with facial anthropometric features and measurements of nasolabial region which varies with races and aging; would have a significant importance in view of conserving the facial ratio and esthetics in the plastic and reconstructive surgery field.