Morphometric study of nasal parameters in undergraduates at a medical university in central Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Nasal morphometry is a technique which includes the study of a part, size, and shape of the human nose. The nasal index (NI), nostril shape, and philtrum shape are the parameters commonly studied. These may show variations according to regional, ethnic, and climatic differences. Hence, a study was done to calculate the NI among a subgroup and classify the nose type based on it. Also to assess the gender variations and to observe the nostril and philtrum shapes. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study consisted of 210 undergraduate students at a medical university. The nasal height and nasal breadth were measured in centimeters with a Digital Vernier Caliper. Subsequently, the NI was calculated. Based on these nasal indices, the nose was classified into the following: leptorrhine: <70, mesorrhine: 70–84.9, and platyrrhine: >84.9. The nostril shapes (rectangular/triangular/teardrop/round) and philtrum shapes (triangular/parallel/flat/concave) were also observed. Results: The mean NI was 76.06 ± 8.614 with a range from 54.7 to 110. Mesorrhine variety was the most common type. The predominant shape of the nostrils found was rectangular, whereas the most common shape of the philtrum found was triangular. Conclusions: Nasal anthropometric measurements are a simple, reliable, and cost-effective method to study the facial characteristics among a population. These measurements provide guidelines that may play a crucial role in forensics and facial reconstructive procedures.