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[Facial growth: men and women differ]
1Afdeling Orthodontie, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000 Leuven, België.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Tandheelkunde
|April 4, 2002
Summary
Men and women exhibit distinct craniofacial development and morphology. These sexual dimorphisms in facial growth persist from childhood through adulthood, influencing overall facial structure.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Orthodontics
- Genetics
Background:
- Sexual dimorphism is evident in the craniofacial complex, impacting growth timing, amount, and location.
- Gender differences in facial morphology persist beyond the active growth phase into adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and detail the sexual dimorphism in craniofacial development.
- To compare facial morphology differences between males and females during active growth and adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of craniofacial dimensions.
- Assessment of growth patterns in lateral and frontal facial views.
- Evaluation of adult facial morphology changes.
Main Results:
- Girls achieve final facial dimensions earlier than boys; boys exhibit larger final dimensions.
- Males display prominent supraorbital sinuses, larger occipital condyles, mastoid processes, zygomatic bones, and gonial regions.
- Adult women have smaller faces (5-9% difference) and shift from horizontal to vertical growth patterns, unlike men who maintain vertical growth.
Conclusions:
- Significant sexual dimorphism exists in craniofacial structure and growth patterns.
- These differences are present during active growth and continue into adulthood.
- Understanding these dimorphisms is crucial for fields like orthodontics and forensic anthropology.