EVALUATION OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF THE LIPS IN A PORTION OF THE POPULATION

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify the morphological patterns of the furrows in lip prints, of the commissures and the thickness of the lips through a cheiloscopic study, as well as correlating them with the individual characteristics of each volunteer, like for instance, gender, age, and body mass index. The sample was made up of 1,016 volunteers that were patients being attended to at the clinics of the Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de Pernambuco (FOP/UPE). To begin with, height (cm) and weight (kg) were measured, followed by a calculation of body mass index on an individual basis. Lip prints were obtained using wax paper, measuring the thickness of the lips, and two photographs were taken to analyze the arrangement of the lips. In relation to the lip arrangement, the horizontal form was the most prevalent in the population studied (59.6%). In terms of classification of lip thickness, the standard most found amongst upper lips was that of thin (60.4%) and for lower lips was that of thick (40.6%). It was also found that the percentage of people who were classified as having thin lips, both upper and lower, increased as the age ranges went up. According to the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification, type II was the most found and type V was the least found amongst the whole group, presenting variations in relation to the sub quadrants and gender. It can be concluded that from the analysis of the studied variables, we can identify the morphological standards, as well as their correlations with the other individual characteristics, with Cheiloscopy being an important tool in helping with human identification.