Variation in Facial Index and Nasal Index in Western Maharashtrian Males- An Anthropometric Study

Abstract

Introduction: Facial anthropometry had proved its great importance in the field of facial reconstructive surgery as well as in the field of forensic science. Specific face types and nose types provides us important information about specific types of races. Aim: To study the morphometric variation in facial index and nasal index as well as different types of faces and types of noses in the Western Maharashtrian males. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in the five cities- Sangli, Kolhapur, Islampur, Karad and Satara of Western Maharashtra, India. Total 535 male students of different colleges between the age group of 18-20 years were selected and measurements were taken with the help of Digital Vernier Calliper in the sitting position after due approval from Institutional Ethical Committees and informed consent. The methodology adopted for the measurements was taken from the guidelines given by Farkas LG in his book-“Anthropometric facial proportions in Medicine”. Results: The mean facial index of Western Maharashtrian males was 89.51 with standard deviation 4.26 and dominant face type was leptoprosopic which was 46.73% and rare type of face was hypereuriprosopic which was 0.19%. Mean nasal index of Western Maharashtrian males was 72.84 with standard deviation 6.86 and dominant nose type was mesorrhine which was 63.74%. Conclusion: Certain facial and nasal features are common in particular racial group. Its detection can be helpful in reconstructive facial surgeries.