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Comparative data on facial morphology and muscle thickness using ultrasonography
Fikret Satiroğlu1, Tülin Arun, Fulya Işik
1Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.
European Journal of Orthodontics
|September 2, 2005
Summary
Ultrasonography revealed masseter muscle thickness correlates with vertical facial patterns and BMI. Facial expression muscles showed no such relationship, indicating specific masticatory muscle links to facial structure.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Biometrics
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Facial muscle thickness and its relationship with facial morphology and body mass index (BMI) are not fully understood.
- Ultrasonography offers a non-invasive method to assess muscle dimensions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure masseter, levator labii superioris, and zygomaticus major muscle thickness using ultrasonography.
- To evaluate the reproducibility of these ultrasonographic measurements.
- To examine associations between facial/masticatory muscle thickness, vertical facial pattern, and BMI.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasonography was used to measure bilateral muscle thickness in 47 healthy young adults.
- Masseter muscle thickness was recorded during relaxation and maximal clenching.
- Lateral cephalograms determined vertical facial patterns (low, normal, high angle).
Main Results:
- Masseter muscle thickness showed a significant correlation with vertical facial pattern and BMI.
- Individuals with thicker masseter muscles exhibited a shorter vertical facial pattern.
- No significant relationship was found between the thickness of facial expression muscles (levator labii superioris, zygomaticus major) and vertical facial pattern.
Conclusions:
- Masseter muscle thickness is associated with facial morphology and BMI.
- Facial expression muscles do not show a similar correlation with vertical facial patterns.
- Ultrasonography is a reproducible method for assessing masticatory muscle thickness.