%0 Journal Article
%T Analysis of Facial Height between Prepubertal and Postpubertal Subjects in Rivers State, Nigeria
%A B. O. Akinbami
%A Mark Ikpeama
%J Journal of Anthropology
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/308212
%X 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¨C16 and 17¨C25 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 ( ). 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. 1. Introduction The craniofacial complex is divided into three and these include the cranium, upper face, and the lower face [1]. Facial aesthetic appreciation by the human mind is closely related proportions of the component portions in harmony [2]. This is because discrepancies or alterations in craniofacial proportions result in facial/body dimorphic syndromes in certain individuals especially when it far deviates from acceptable norms for a particular ethnic or racial population [3¨C5]. However, the growth of the upper and lower jaw is determined by the growth of the base of the skull. Failure of the cranium and base of the skull to increase in size causes a remarkable decrease in the size of the maxilla and mandible [6]. It is generally established in the literature that growth and discrepancies in sizes are under both genetic and environmental influence of which hormonal factor plays a significant role [7]. There are significant differences in hormonal levels at different stages of life [8]. The expectation is that, with such changes in hormonal levels especially the sex and growth hormones, there may be corresponding changes in anthropometric craniofacial parameters in various age groups. The purpose of our study was therefore to determine differences in facial heights between prepubertal and postpubertal subjects. 2. Materials and Methods This was a randomized cross-sectional study which involved
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/janthro/2013/308212/