Analysis of Facial Height between Prepubertal and Postpubertal Subjects in Rivers State, Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of Anthropology (2010) 2013-01, Vol.2013 (2013), p.1-5
• Main Authors: Akinbami, Babatunde Olayemi, Ikpeama, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2090-4045; 2090-4053
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/308212

Background. Appropriate craniofacial growth is vital both for aesthesis and normal growth of the brain. Cranial indices and facial heights are relevant parameters that are useful for anthropometric analyses of the growth of the entire craniofacial skeletal complex. The aim of this study was to determine differences in facial heights between prepubertal and postpubertal subjects. Method. The study consists of four hundred subjects, two hundred males and two hundred females who were selected at random on the ages ranging 12–16 and 17–25 years and were categorized into prepubertal and postpubertal. The facial parameters that were measured were upper facial height, lower facial height, and posterior facial height. Result. There was no significant difference found in the upper facial height between prepubertal and postpubertal females (P>0.005). Conclusion. This study has shown that facial parameters are sexually dimorphic between male and female subjects and that male facial dimension was significantly higher than that of females. Also, it has been established that prepubertal subjects had higher facial dimension compared to corresponding postpubertal subjects.