Analysis of the African American Female Nose

Abstract

The African American nose has been broadly classified as ethnic yet it differs significantly in morphology from that of other ethnic groups with which it is categorized. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish an objective protocol for analysis of the African American female nose using anthropometric measurements, and (2) determine whether subjective subcategorization schemes are a reliable replacement for anthropometry. African American women (n = 107) between the ages of 18 and 30 years consented to participate in this study. Photographs and 14 standard anthropometric measurements were taken of the face and nasal region, including nose length, nose width, special upper face height, intercanthal distance, mouth width, nasal bridge inclination, nasal tip protrusion, ala thickness, nasal root width, nasal bridge length, tangential length of ala, length of columella, nasofrontal angle, and nasolabial angle. Nasal indices including nose width-nose height index, nasal tip protrusion-nose height index, and nasal tip protrusion-nasal width index were calculated. In addition, photographic analysis was performed to evaluate nostril shape, nasal base shape, and nasal dorsal height. Proportional relationships and subcategorization schemes were evaluated. A new method of nasal analysis for the African American woman uses the proportional relationships of the anthropometric measurements. Proportional relationships included a columellar to lobule ratio of 1.5:1, a nasolabial angle of 86 degrees, and an alar width to intercanthal distance ratio of 5:4. The nasal dorsal height classification scheme was the most reliable for subjective analysis. The degree of variability found within this group of young African American women is illustrated by the following indices and their respective ranges: nose width-nose height index mean, 79.7 (range, 57 to 102); nasal tip protrusion-nose height index mean, 33.8 (range, 23 to 46); and nasal tip protrusion-nose width index mean, 42.8 (range, 32 to 61). The guidelines provided are a baseline from which to begin analysis and evaluation.

Rhinometry: spectrum of nasal profile among Nigerian Africans

“…7 According to a study by Ofodile et al 6 ,among 201 black American, the nose were classified into three groups. Group A which is said to be African, Group B , Afro-Caucasian and group C Afro-Indian.44% belonged to group A, 37% group B and group C were 19%.55% of the African noses had a concave dorsum whereas only 10% of the Afro-Caucasian and 7% of the Afro-Indian groups had a concave dorsum whereas 36% of the Afro-Caucasians had a hump.…”

“…The importance of nasal morphometric parameters is recognized in nasal surgical and medical management 4 . Nasal index (NI) is one of the important anthropometric parameters for suggesting the race and sex of an individual whose identity is unknown [5][6][7] . Various studies have been done to classify the nose into platyrrhine (black), mesorrhine (oriental) and leptorrhine (whites) noses 8,9 .…”

An Anthropometric Study of some Basic Nasal Parameters of Three Major Ethnic Groups in Kogi State, Nigeria

“…A nose type is said to be leptorrhine if the nasal index is 69.9 or less, mesorrhine if the nasal index is between 70-84.9 and platyrrhine if the nasal index is 85 and above [6,14]. The platyrrhine nose type is characterized by a very prominent ala lobule with a full or rounded nasal tip.…”

“…In anthropology and forensic medicine, the knowledge of nasal index is relevant in distinguishing the race, ethnicity and sex of individuals whose identity is not known [1,6]. Nasal index is also useful in the analysis and classification of fossil remains as well as the study of living population [7].…”

Anthropometric Characterization of Nasal Parameters in Adults Oyemekun Ethnic Group in Akure Southwest Nigeria

“…Narrower noses are said to be favored in cold and dry climates while broader nose in warmer and moister ones [10]. Furthermore, the three major categories of nose on the basis of nasal index are leptorrhine (Long and narrow nose) with a nasal index of 69.90 or less, mesorrhine (medium) with a nasal index between 70 and 84.90 and platyrrhine (broad nose) with a nasal index of 85 and above [11,12].Within and outside Nigeria, several studies have been carried out and documented on nasal indices [13][14][15][16][17][18] but little or nothing has been documented on Nasal parameters of oyemekum ethics group in Akure southwest Nigeria. The nasal index (NI), expressed as the percentage ratio of breadth and height of the nose, is one of the most commonly used anthropometric parameters in classifying human races [19,20].…”