ANTHROPOMETRIC STUDY OF NASAL INDEX OF EGYPTIANS

Background: The nasal index determination is one of the most commonly used anthropometric parameter in classifying human races. There are few reports in medical literature concerning nasal index that specifically address particular Egyptian populations. The objective of this study was to determine the normal parameters of external nose (width, height and nasal index) in Egyptians. Methods: The study was conducted randomly on healthy Egyptian subjects of both sexes. Nasal height and width were measured using vernier caliper. Then, nasal index was determined for each subject. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 290 subjects, 144 males and 146 females, aged 1 month? 65 years, were enrolled in the study. The study showed the existence of sexual dimorphism in nasal morphology, appearing after the age 20 years. The mean nasal index in the investigated adults was 68.01; in males and females was 71.46 and 64.56, respectively. Conclusions: The dominant nasal type in Egyptians was in-between mesorrhine "medium" and leptorrhine "narrow" nose. Forensic and anthropological research, as well as cosmetic and reconstructive surgery may benefit from age- and sex- based data of the study.