Photogrammetric study of facial dimensions among adults resident in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

AIM: The current study used photogrammetry to measure the facial dimensions of young, healthy adult residents in Cross-River State.

METHODOLOGY: Over the course of five months, 126 subjects (61 males and 65 females) from Cross-River State, Nigeria, were included in this study. Photographs were taken using a digital camera (Nikon Digital Camera D5300, Japan) with the subjects at a distance of 120 cm from the lens using 640 X 480 pixels. Photo markings with anatomical points of reference, the measurements taken were; Facial height (Tr -Gn), Cranial width (Eur -Eul) Facial width (T -T) Nasal width (Ail -Ail) Intercanthal distance (Enr -Enl) Nasal height (N -Prn) Nasion-gnathion distance (N -Gn) Binocular distance (Exr -Exl) Inter commissural width (Chr -Chl) Subnasale-gnathion distance (Sn -Gn). The measurements were done using Corel Draw (x7) program.

RESULTS: Findings from the study revealed that the Mean±SD values for the male subjects facial dimensions were; Facial height 113.71±10.00, Cranial width 64.06±7.02, Facial width 79.25±8.10, Nasal width 29.65±3.62, Intercanthal distance 20.29±2.46, Nasal height 25.88±3.22, Nasion-gnathion distance 72.81±6.75, Binocular distance 64.08±11.25, Inter commissural width 36.51±4.76, Subnasale-gnathion distance 40.14±5.16. while those for the females were Facial height 95.03±11.55, Cranial width 53.43±6.63, Facial width 65.65±8.24, Nasal width 24.31±2.58, Intercanthal distance 17.06±2.92, Nasal height 21.27±4.36, Nasion-gnathion distance 60.39±7.44, Binocular distance 51.23±9.80, Inter commissural width 30.51±3.71, Subnasale-gnathion distance 32.79±4.40. The test for equality of variance between male and female individuals from Cross River showed a statistically significant difference in the mean values. This research demonstrated that males from Cross River State exhibited higher values of facial dimensions compared to females.

CONCLUSION: The utilization of non-invasive photogrammetry facilitated efficient measurement of facial parameters, ensuring the convenience and time-saving of participants in this study. This effort contributed to establishing normative values for facial measurements among the people of Cross River. While acknowledging the need for further studies, it is important to note that this work remains valuable in its current scope.