Morphometric Correlations between Cephalic Index, External Ear and Lip (Vermillion) Measurements among Adult Igbo Population in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of the study was to establish normative values of cranial, ear, mouth and lip vermilion height measurements of Igbos in Enugu, and to explore the morphometric correlations among them. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of adult Igbos resident in Enugu metropolis, a major town in Southeastern Nigeria, using cluster sampling. Place and Duration of Study: Sample population comprise participants from selected tertiary institutions, State government ministries and an association of civil servant retirees in Enugu, Nigeria, and the study lasted for a period of one year. Methodology: The study had 312 participants. The measurements taken were height, weight, body-mass index, head circumference. maximum cranial length, maximum cranial width, ear length and width, mouth width, upper vermilion and lower vermilion heights. Results: The participants in the study were 186 females and 126 males, and were between the ages of 20 and 69ys, with a mean age of 37.05 ± 15.83. The mean cephalic index was 80.96 ± 3.73, with a range of 72.45 to 93.14. The most common head types were brachycephalic and mesocephalic. Maximum cranial length had correlations with ear length (p=.004), ear width (p=.011) and mouth width (p=.023). Maximum cranial width had correlations with mouth width (p=.003), while the cephalic index had correlations with ear length (p=.040). The ear length had correlations with mouth width (p=.000) and upper lip vermilion height (p = .002). The mouth width also had significant correlations with all parameters in this study, apart from cephalic index. Conclusion: There was predominance of brachycephalic and mesocephalic head types among adult Igbos in Enugu. The mouth width had significant correlations with all the parameters in this study apart from cephalic index. There were other notable correlations, and these findings demonstrate unique patterns and the interrelated nature of craniofacial structures.