Anthropometric Study of the Nasal Index of Adult Native of Ikwerre of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: The human nose differs in its anatomy and morphology among different ethnic groups. The nasal index is a vital measurement for classifying the ethnic groups and sex of an individual. The study aims at determine the nasal index of adult male and female Ikwerre natives in relation to age and to show its interest in forensic anthropology. Materials and methods: Three hundred and thirty subjects (160 males and 170 females) aged 20–59 years were recruited for this study. Nasal height and width were measured using a digital Vernier caliper. The nasal index was calculated as nasal width/nasal height ×100.  Results: The mean nasal index of females aged 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years were 87.45±0.85, 94.69±1.30, 93.90±1.71, and 93.94±1.39 respectively. The mean nasal index of males aged 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 years were 94.22±0.8, 90.46±1.45, 90.24±1.10, and 99.46±1.68 respectively. The nasal index of overall males and females was 77.22±2.11 and 94.23±0.90 respectively. The higher nasal index was observed in males within the age groups 20–29 and 50–59 years, as compared to the females, who had a higher nasal index within the age groups 30-39 and 40–49 years. The result revealed sexual dimorphism.  Conclusion: This study showed that males in the Ikwerre ethnicity fall within the Mesorrhine nose type while females have the Platyrrhine nose type.