Anthropometric study of some craniofacial parameters: head circumference, nasal height, nasal width and nasal index of adult Omoku indigenes of Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to document the mean head circumference; nasal height; nasal width and nasal index of adult Omoku from Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria and to provide a comprehensive data for use by anthropologists and medical practitioners. Craniofacial anthropometry is vital in making a precise and systematic measurement of human skull. A total of eight hundred (800) adults comprising 400 males and 400 females with age ranging from 18 years and above were used for this study. All the subjects were drawn from Omoku ethnic group in Rivers State. The results showed that the omoku male and female had mean head circumference of 55.72cm and 54.89 cm respectively, mean nasal height of 4.66cm and 4.36cm respectively, mean nasal width of 4.01cm and 3.93cm respectively and mean nasal indices of 86.09 and 90.16 respectively. The z-test analysis indicates a sexual dimorphism, with significantly higher values of all the parameters in males compared to the females (p<0.05). This study is therefore recommended to forensic anthropologists, craniofacial surgeons and medical practitioners and also serves as the basis for future studies on other Nigerian ethnic group.