The Indian Nose: An anthropometric analysis

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2017-10, Vol.70 (10), p.1472-1482
• Main Authors: Mehta, Nikhil, Dr, Srivastava, Rakesh K., Dr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anthropology, Cultural - methods; Anthropometric analysis; Anthropometry - methods; Female; Humans; India - ethnology; Indian nose; Male; Nasal Surgical Procedures - ethics; Nasal Surgical Procedures - methods; Nasal Surgical Procedures - psychology; Nose; Nose - anatomy & histology; Nose - surgery; Plastic Surgery; Rhinoplasty
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2017.05.042

Summary Anthropometric measurements of nose are of great importance in planning aesthetic nasal surgery. Abundant literature is available on anthropometric analysis of Caucasians and Orientals, without similar references on Indian nose and its regional differences. Thus, we conducted a descriptive cross sectional epidemiological study of one thousand volunteers, with equal number of subjects derived from five geographic groups namely North; Central; West; South; and Himalayan region to determine differences in nasal morphology of Indian population and amongst its various regions. The objective was to establish a standard Indian data for guidance in nasal surgery. All measurements were deduced using photographic analysis. The mean nasal height and width of our study population was 50.48 mm and 36.59 mm. Nasal profile varied amongst all five regions of the country. North Indians had the longest (52.69mm nasal height) but narrowest nose (35.01mm width); thus having a leptorrhine nose with Caucasoid features. South Indians had the broadest noses (nasal width=38.66mm) whereas subjects from Himalayan region had shortest nose (nasal height=47.2mm). Indians on an average had a mesorrhine nose compared to leptorrhine nose in Caucasians and Orientals and platyrrhine nose in Africans. We thus conclude that Indian nose should be considered a different entity in comparison to Caucasians, Orientals and African population. There are obvious differences in the facial architecture of people from different regions within this country. Therefore, appropriate adjustments need to be made according to different racial descents during nasal surgeries so as to give patients results which blend harmoniously with other facial features.