Study of the Nasal Indices and Bialar Angle of the Ibo and Yoruba Ethnic groups of Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to determined and compare the nasal indices and bialar angles of the Ibo and Yoruba ethnic groups in order to classify their nose types and to analyze the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism, also to provide base line data for anthropologists, aesthetic and reconstruction surgeons. The current study sample consists of 384 subjects, 228 Ibo subjects and 156 Yoruba subjects were measured for nasal length and nasal breath thereafter nasal indices were calculated from the measurements while bialar angle was measured in 220 Ibo subjects and 143 Yoruba subjects. Results obtained showed that Ibo males and females had a mean nasal index of 10762+ 1-09 and 98-89+1.30, bialar angle of 107.12+ 1.08 and 100.57+ 1.35 respectively while Yoruba males and females has a mean nasal index of 110.30+ 1.92 and 97.07+ 2.11, bialar angle of 99.29+ 1.12 and 95.48+ 1.05 respectively. Sexual dimorphism was observed with significantly higher values of all parameters measured in males compared to females of both ethnic groups. The data of this study have shown that both ethnic groups have platyrrhine nose type (Broad nose) and an obtuse bialar angle with Ibos having broader nose than the Yorubas.

Keywords: Bialar angle, nasal index, sexual dimorphism, platyrrhine, Ibo, Yoruba, ethnic groups.