Vertical and horizontal proportions of the face in young adult North American Caucasians: revision of neoclassical canons.

The validity of nine neoclassical formulas of facial proportions was tested in a group of 153 young adult North American Caucasians. Age-related qualities were investigated in six of the nine canons in 100 six-year-old, 105 twelve-year-old, and 103 eighteen-year-old healthy subjects divided equally between the sexes. The two canons found to be valid most often in young adults were both horizontal proportions (interorbital width equals nose width in 40 percent and nose width equals 1/4 face width in 37 percent). The poorest correspondences are found in the vertical profile proportions, showing equality of no more than two parts of the head and face. Sex does not influence the findings significantly, but age-related differences were observed. Twenty-four variations derived from three vertical profile, four horizontal facial, and two nasoaural neoclassical canons were identified in the group of young adults. For each of the new proportions, the mean absolute and relative differences were calculated. The absolute differences were greater between the facial profile sections (vertical canons) and smaller between the horizontally oriented facial proportions. This study shows a large variability in size of facial features in a normal face. While some of the neoclassical canons may fit a few cases, they do not represent the average facial proportions and their interpretation as a prescription for ideal facial proportions must be tested.

Anthropometric proportions in the upper lip-lower lip-chin area of the lower face in young white adults.

The relationships between measurements of the lower lip, chin, upper lip, and lower half and lower third of the face were studied. Fifteen new indices were formed with the help of eleven vertical linear, one horizontal linear, and two surface-arc measurements in the area. Neoclassic canons related to the lower face were not confirmed. On the average, the lower lip was 83% to 85% as large as the upper lip. The upper lip occupied one third of the lower face, while the lower lip occupied more than one third of the lower third of the face and the chin occupied the remainder. Skin covered 73.5% of the upper lip in males and 68% in females; it covered 63% of the lower lip in males and 61.1% in females. The remainder was covered by vermilion, more on the lower than on the upper lip and more protruding in females than in males. Proportion standards are a valuable contribution to the surface anatomy of the lower face of young white adults.

Asymmetries in nostrils and the surrounding tissues of the soft nose--a morphometric study.

Seven measurements and two qualities of the soft nose and nasal bridge were recorded in 156 healthy young adult North American Caucasians. Nostril-type asymmetries and alar base dislocations (31 and 38 of 156, respectively) were associated with other minor nasal disfigurements more often than symmetrical nares or alar base levels. A true alar base dislocation between alae of the same shape was distinguished from pseudodislocation caused by differing alar configurations (two-thirds of cases) or configuration differences along with dislocation (one-third of cases). Columellar deviations, columellar length asymmetry, and alar base dislocations were more frequently to the left, whereas nasal bridge deviations and septal dislocations were more often to the right. On the left side the extent of columellar deviation (5.9 degrees) and degree of alar base dislocation (1.5 mm) were significantly greater than on the right (4.0 degrees, p less than 0.05, and 1.0 mm, p less than 0.01, respectively). Quantitative analysis of the relationship of the minor nasal disfigurements offers valuable data for both surgeons and clinical geneticists.

Objective assessment of standard nostril types--a morphometric study.

Nostril type was assigned according to the inclination of the medial longitudinal axis of the nostrils, generally following the Topinard system in a group of randomly selected, healthy young North Americans. The group was composed of 156 Caucasians, 55 Asians, and 32 blacks. The 33 noses with asymmetrical nares were excluded from the remainder of the study. Five other measurements of the soft nose were taken (protrusion of the nasal tip, width of the nose, width of the columella, and length of the right and left columellar rims). Three indices showing the relationships of these measurements were also calculated. The most common nares were Type II in Caucasians (52.8%), Type III in Asians (52.8%), and Type VI in blacks (50.0%). Specific columellar and alar base configurations were associated with many nostril types. These data about nostril types and the soft nose provide important guidelines for reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

The dermatoglyphics of a Toronto sample of children with XXY, XXYY, and XXX aneuploidies.

Dermatoglyphic analyses were carried out on a sample of children with known sex chromosomal aneuploidies (25 XXY, 10 XXX, 1 XXYY). Digital ridge counts and pattern types were determined for each individual. Palm prints and sole patterns were also examined. The results of our study were compared with data from previous studies of sex chromosomal aneuploidies. Out results for the XXY males agree with the findings from other studies with respect to total ridge counts and plantar dermatoglyphics, but not for digital pattern frequencies. Our one example of an XXYY male showed hypothenar patterns similar to those found for this syndrome by other researchers, but neither the digital pattern types nor the unexpectedly high total ridge count conforms to the findings from other studies. Our sample of XXX females falls within the normal XX female range of variation with respect to hypothenar patterns and total ridge count; plantar features show a higher incidence of patterns than previously reported.