Anthropometric evaluation of nasal height, nasal breadth and nasal index among Bini children In Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background and Objective: The nasal dimensions are important cephalometric parameters used in physical
anthropometry to distinguish different gender and groups of human population. It also used to categorize the
human nasal morphology into five different morphological categories which include hyperleptorrhine, leptorrhine,
mesorrhine, platyrrhine and hyperplatyrrhine. In this anthropometric study, the nasal morphological
characteristics of the Bini children in Nigeria were evaluated and the prevalent nasal morphology of the study
population determined.
Methodology: This study involved randomly selected 500 Bini children (comprising 250 males and 250 females)
between ages 5-12 years. The nasal dimensions of each subject were measured between relevant anatomical
landmarks. These include the nasal height measured as distance between nasion and subnasale and the nasal
breadth measured as distance between the most lateral points of right and left ala of the nose using a sliding
caliper. The nasal index for each subject was calculated as nasal breadth divided by nasal height and expressed
as percentage.
Results: The mean nasal height for male and female Bini children was 4.58± 0.11 and 4.33 ± 0.10 while the mean
nasal breadth was 4.05 ± 0.12 and 3.88 ± 0.11 respectively. The mean nasal index for male subjects (90.25 ± 1.33)
was also higher than for female subjects (88.65 ± 1.50). The morphological classification showed the platyrrhine
nose type as the most prevalent among the male (70.0%) and female (68.0%) Bini children.
Conclusion: The nasal dimensions and nasal index demonstrated prominent sexual dimorphism and the dominance
of platyrrhine nose type is the current trend in the nasal morphology of Bini children.

Full text

Int J Anat Res 2019, 7(3.2):6896-6900. ISSN 2321-4287 6896
Original Research Article
ANTHROPOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NASAL HEIGHT, NASAL
BREADTH AND NASAL INDEX AMONG BINI CHILDREN IN
SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Omotoso Dayo Rotimi
*1
, Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen
2
, Bienonwu Emmanuel
3
,
Uwagbor Victor
4
.
ABSTRACT
Address for Correspondence: Dr. Dayo Rotimi Omotoso, Department of Anatomy, College of
Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria. Phone: +2348034779886
E-Mail: dayohmts@gmail.com
Background and Objective: The nasal dimensions are important cephalometric parameters used in physical
anthropometry to distinguish different gender and groups of human population. It also used to categorize the
human nasal morphology into five different morphological categories which include hyperleptorrhine, leptorrhine,
mesorrhine, platyrrhine and hyperplatyrrhine. In this anthropometric study, the nasal morphological
characteristics of the Bini children in Nigeria were evaluated and the prevalent nasal morphology of the study
population determined.
Methodology: This study involved randomly selected 500 Bini children (comprising 250 males and 250 females)
between ages 5-12 years. The nasal dimensions of each subject were measured between relevant anatomical
landmarks. These include the nasal height measured as distance between nasion and subnasale and the nasal
breadth measured as distance between the most lateral points of right and left ala of the nose using a sliding
caliper. The nasal index for each subject was calculated as nasal breadth divided by nasal height and expressed
as percentage.
Results: The mean nasal height for male and female Bini children was 4.58± 0.11 and 4.33 ± 0.10 while the mean
nasal breadth was 4.05 ± 0.12 and 3.88 ± 0.11 respectively. The mean nasal index for male subjects (90.25 ± 1.33)
was also higher than for female subjects (88.65 ± 1.50). The morphological classification showed the platyrrhine
nose type as the most prevalent among the male (70.0%) and female (68.0%) Bini children.
Conclusion: The nasal dimensions and nasal index demonstrated prominent sexual dimorphism and the dominance
of platyrrhine nose type is the current trend in the nasal morphology of Bini children.
KEY WORDS: Nasal dimensions, Nasal Index, Bini children, Nigeria.
International Journal of Anatomy and Research,
Int J Anat Res 2019, Vol 7(3.2):6896-6900. ISSN 2321-4287
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2019.255
Access this Article online
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ISSN (E) 2321-4287 | ISSN (P) 2321-8967
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DOI-Prefix: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar
DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2019.255
*1 Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo
State, Nigeria.
2 Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo
State, Nigeria.
3 Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo
State, Nigeria.
4 Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo
State, Nigeria.
Received: 19 Jun 2019
Peer Review: 20 Jun 2019
Revised: None
Accepted: 17 Jul 2019
Published (O): 05 Aug 2019
Published (P): 05 Aug 2019
Journal Information
ICV for 2016
90.30
Article Information

Int J Anat Res 2019, 7(3.2):6896-6900. ISSN 2321-4287 6897
INTRODUCTION
The nasal dimensions and index are important
cephalometric parameters used in physical
anthropometry to distinguish different human
populations and to categorize the human nasal
morphology. Generally, cephalometric param-
eters including the nasal index are useful in
identification of different ethnic groups and
categorization of different races [1,2]. Other
applications of cephalometric measurements
include human identification, forensic science,
orthodontics, plastic and reconstructive surgery,
distinction between clinical patients and normal
population as well as in physical or industrial
ergonomics [3-6]. Based on the general shape,
three types of human nose have been described
which include– leptorrhine (long and narrow or
Caucasian), mesorrhine (medium or Asian) and
platyrrhine (broad and flat or African) [7].
Furthermore, based on the nasal index, five mor-
phological categories of the human nose have
been described which include– hyperleptorrhine,
leptorrhine, mesorrhine, platyrrhine and
hyperplatyrrhine (Table 1) [8,9].
Table 1: Morphological Classification of Human Nose
based on the Nasal Index.
Categories
Nasal shape
Nasal index
Hyperleptorrhine
Very Narrow
40 – 54.9
Leptorrhine,
Long and Narrow
55 – 69.9
Mesorrhine
Moderate shape
70 – 84.9
Platyrrhine
Broad and Short
85 – 99.9
Hyperplatyrrhine
Very broad/Wide
≥ 100
Human body dimensions including the shape and
size of the nose are influenced by age, gender,
ethnic background, environmental and geo-
graphical conditions. For instance, wide-sized
noses are prominent among individuals in
warmer tropics while narrow-sized noses are
most common among people in temperate
regions [10-12].
There is therefore a continuous need for
anthropometric study of human populations
across gender, in different age groups, tribes
and geographical locations. This study was
therefore carried out to evaluate nasal
morphometrics of children in Southern part of
Nigeria, to determine possible sexual
dimorphism and to describe their morphologi-
cal classification.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The subjects for this study were 500 randomly
selected children of Bini ethnic origin and
resident in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria. The
study population comprised 250 males and 250
females children between ages 5–12 years old.
For each subject, the nasal height was measured
and recorded as distance between nasion and
subnasale while the nasal breadth was
measured and recorded as distance between the
most lateral points of right and left ala of the
nose using a sliding caliper. All measurements
were taken with the subjects in sitting and
relaxed positions and their head in an anatomi-
cal position. Prospective subjects with facial
abnormalities ornasal deformities were excluded
from this study. The nasal index was calculated
using the following equation [13].
Nasal Index = Nasal Breadth X 100
Nasal Height
All measured and calculated values were
analyzed using IBM-SPSS (version 20) software
for windows. Statistical results obtained were
presented as mean ± SEM and compared using
T-test. (P < 0.05 was considered as statistically
significant level).
RESULTS
From the results obtained in this study, the mean
nasal height for Bini male children (4.58 ± 0.15)
was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than values
(4.33 ± 0.10) for Bini female children (Figure 1).
Similarly, the mean nasal breadth for Bini male
children (4.05 ± 0.18) was significantly higher
(P < 0.05) than values (3.88 ± 0.16) for Bini
female children (Figure 2). The mean nasal
index also showed similar sexual variation with
the values for male Bini children (90.25 ± 1.33)
higher than those in female Bini children
(88.65 ± 1.50) (Figure 3).
Fig. 1: The mean nasal height values among Bini male
and female children.
Omotoso Dayo Rotimi, Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen, et al., ANTHROPOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NASAL HEIGHT, NASAL BREADTH AND
NASAL INDEX AMONG BINI CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Int J Anat Res 2019, 7(3.2):6896-6900. ISSN 2321-4287 6898
Fig. 2: The mean nasal breadth values among Bini male
and female children.
Fig. 3: The mean nasal index values among Bini male
and female children.
The percentage distribution of the nose types
represented in Figures 4 and 5 showed the
prevalence of the platyrrhine nose type among
both Bini male children (70.0%) and Bini female
children (68.0%).
Fig. 4: Chart showing morphological classification of
Nasal Index among Bini male children.
Fig. 5: Chart showing morphological classification of
Nasal Index among Bini female children.
Table 2: Mean and standard deviation of nasal parameters of the Bini male and female children.
Male Female Male Female Male Female
Mean±S.E.M 4.58 ± 0.11 4.33 ± 0.10 4.05 ± 0.12 3.88 ± 0.11 90.25 ± 1.33 88.65 ± 1.50
S. D. 0.66 0.55 0.83 0.7 2.55 2.77
Nasal Height Nasal Breadth Nasal Index
Variables
Table 3: Morphological classification and percentage distribution of nose types among Bini male and female
children.
DISCUSSION
Frequency % Frequency %
Hyperleptorrhine 40 – 54.9 – 0 – 0
Leptorrhine 55 – 69.9 – 0 – 0
Mesorrhine 70 – 84.9 75 30.00% 80 32.00%
Platyrrhine 85 – 99.9 175 70.00% 170 68.00%
Hyperplatyrrhine ≥ 100 – 0 – 0
Females (250)
RangeClasses Males (250)
height (figure 1) and nasal breadth (figure 2)
among Bini male children than Bini female
children (Table 2). Also, there is a significant
(p < 0.05) sexual variation in the nasal index
among the Bini male and female subjects with
the males having higher values than the females
The nose is one of the characteristic features of
the human face which is useful in the determi-
nation of sex, age, ethnicity and race of a
person [14,15]. The result of this study showed
significantly higher (P < 0.05) values for nasal
Omotoso Dayo Rotimi, Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen, et al., ANTHROPOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NASAL HEIGHT, NASAL BREADTH AND
NASAL INDEX AMONG BINI CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Int J Anat Res 2019, 7(3.2):6896-6900. ISSN 2321-4287 6899
female Egyptians respectively [7].
Among the Turkish population, the leptorrhine
(narrow nose type) is the most prevalent among
both male (70%) and female (78%) [11]. Among
the Iranian population, the mean nasal index for
male and females were 68.91 and 66.05 respec-
tively which confers the leptorrhine nose type
as the most prevalent among both Iranian males
and females [22]. Another study among the
male and female of Gwalior region in India
reported a significantly lower nasal index
values (80.59 and 77.29 respectively) and
mesorrhine nose types was the most prevalent
[9] and mean nasal index value of 73.96 ± 1.9
and the prevalence of mesorrhine nose type was
reported among the people of Western Uttar
Pradesh region in India [23]. Another study
among the Jats and Sindhis ethnic groups in
India reported nasal index values of 68.09 and
70.72 respectively thereby implying the
dominance of leptorrhine and mesorrhine nose
types in the Jats and Sindhis ethnic groups
respectively [24]. Based on the result of this
study, there is a significant intra-tribal sexual
variation but no significant inter-racial diversity
in the nasal morphology of the Binis relative to
other tribes in Southern Nigeria. However, promi-
nent variation exists when compared with other
distant tribes and populations.
(Figure 3, Table 2). The result of this study
showed correlation with findings from previous
study among the adult Bini population [16].
Another study similarly reported significant
sexual differences in the nasal indices of three
major Southern Nigerian tribes– Igbo, Yoruba and
Ijaw as well as the Andoni and Okrika tribes of
Rivers State, Nigeria in which the male subjects
have significantly higher values than their
female counterparts [12,17].
According to the result of a study among the
Bekwara ethnic group in Cross River state of
Nigeria, the nasal index also demonstrated
prominent sexual variation with the males hav-
ing higher values (94.65) than the females
(90.33) and there is reported prevalence of the
platyrrhine (broad and short) nose type [18].
The result of a study done among the Urhobo
and Itsekiri tribes of Southern Nigeria also
showed significant sexual variation in the nasal
dimensions [19]. Also, the craniofacial param-
eters (which include nasal height, width)
obtained among Omoku indigenes of Nigeria
similarly revealed significantly higher values of
all parameters among males than in females
[20]. Furthermore, the result of this study
showed prevalence of the platyrrhine nose type
among the Bini male children (figure 4) and Bini
female children (figure 5) while mesorrhine was
the next and least prevalent as there were no
other nose types observed within the study
population (Table 3). Comparatively, similar find-
ings of platyrrhine prevalence were reported
among the Efik children and young adult as well
as the Urhobo and Itsekiri tribes in Southern
Nigeria [15,19]; the Okrika tribe was prevalently
platyrrhine while the Andoni tribe was preva-
lently mesorrhine [12]. Previous Studies [20,21]
reported the prevalence of the platyrrhine nose
type among the male and female Ekpeye tribe
(93.72 ± 0.57 and 88.99 ± 0.61); female Ikwerre
tribe (93.17 ± 0.51); male Ikwerre tribe was
prevalently mesorrhine (84.81 ± 0.51) and
among the male and female Omoku indigenes,
platyrrhine nose type was also the most
prevalent. The study of nasal index among
Egyptian population reported significantly lower
nasal index values among the male (71.46) and
female (64.56) and prevalence of mesorrhine
and leptorrhine nose types among the male and
CONCLUSION
The nasal dimensions and nasal index demon-
strated prominent sexual dimorphism and can
be used as a tool for description of sexual
differences in human population. Also, the
dominance of platyrrhine nose type is the
current trend in the nasal morphology of Bini
tribe like most other tribes in the Southern
Nigeria.
Conflicts of Interests: None
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How to cite this article:
Omotoso Dayo Rotimi, Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen, Bienonwu
Emmanuel, Uwagbor Victor. ANTHROPOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NASAL
HEIGHT, NASAL BREADTH AND NASAL INDEX AMONG BINI CHILDREN
IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA. Int J Anat Res 2019;7(3.2):6896-6900. DOI:
10.16965/ijar.2019.255
Omotoso Dayo Rotimi, Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen, et al., ANTHROPOMETRIC EVALUATION OF NASAL HEIGHT, NASAL BREADTH AND
NASAL INDEX AMONG BINI CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA.