Comprehensive Evaluation of Three-Dimensional Philtral Morphology

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate detailed philtral morphology involving sex and racial differences and to clarify the objective parameters related to subjective judgments regarding the clarity of the philtrum. Fifty-five Japanese and 20 Mexican normal subjects aged 24 to 40 years were recruited, and three-dimensional facial data were acquired using a noncontacting optical surface scanner. The visual classification of the philtral column morphology in Japanese adults using facial photographs revealed that the predominant philtral column shape was different by sex. The three-dimensional anthropometric data showed significant sex differences, which were reflected in the more pronounced visual impression of the philtrum in men. A comparative study between Japanese and Mexican women also revealed certain racial differences. Furthermore, both the philtral depth and central angle of Cupid's bow were extracted as explanatory variables related to the subjective judgments for the clarity of the philtrum. These results suggest that the comprehensive evaluation of philtral morphologic features by three-dimensional analysis is a useful means of identifying the ideal parameters in philtral construction in cleft surgery.

Morphometric Analysis of the Upper Lip in Koreans

“…However, previous studies classified the philtral shape of Japanese young adults into four types by visual observation: parallel, triangular, concave, and unclear. 22,23 Although this classification may appear to provide a simple understanding of the types of the philtrum, accurate criteria that distinguish the several types of philtrum are necessary to avoid arbitrary surgery of surgeons. In one study, the parallel type was defined when the philtral columns were "approximately" parallel.…”

“…In one study, the parallel type was defined when the philtral columns were "approximately" parallel. 23 However, this approximation could be interpreted considerably differently among researchers. They also reported that there was a sex difference in the predominant type, and the shape of philtrum in male was a stronger impression than in female.…”

“…They also reported that there was a sex difference in the predominant type, and the shape of philtrum in male was a stronger impression than in female. 23 However, the estimation might not be reliable because they were classified by only visual observation of facial photographs without objective criteria. We determined that philtral shape was influenced by the WSP/WIP index, and selected cutoff points of 40 and 60 as classification criteria.…”

Philtral Columns and Nostril Shapes in Nigerian Children: A Morphometric and Aesthetic Analysis

“…A great body of work in facial anthropometry is that of Farkas, who established a database of norms that are well accepted as linear, angular, and surface contour reference values [9, 17]. Other reference values are from 2D cephalometric and photographic assessments [13, 18–21]. More recently, the laser scanning technique, the contact-type 3-dimensional measurement technique using facial plaster models, and the measurement technique using 3-dimensional computed tomography are considered to be able to 3- dimensionally measure the complicated shape of the face and to produce images on a computer screen [13, 20, 22].…”

“…The characteristics and differences of the shapes of the nostrils have been studied in several racial groups [13–15, 18, 21, 25, 26]. Among the classifications of nostrils, Farkas' classification divides the shape of nostrils by the angle between the right and left long nostril axes [25].…”