Morphometric study of ear lobule in northwest Indian male subjects

A total of 260 male subjects between 1 and 80 years of age of north-west region of India were studied with regard to morphometry of the ear lobule. The purpose of the present study was to obtain average values and range of measurements of several parameters of the ear lobule and the differences between right and left lobules. Female subjects were excluded from the study due to piercing. Various measurements of lobule were taken with the help of Vernier and Lange's calipers. The results of the aforementioned measurements were analyzed statistically using Student's t-test. The maximum length of the lobule increased appreciably between 6-15 years and 41-80 years. The breadth of the ear lobule increased up to the age of 15 years and was almost static between the ages of 16 and 40 years and increased again from 41 years onwards. Length of the lobule showed significant growth from the age group of 6-10 to 11-15, 21-40 to 41-60 and 41-60 to 61-80 years on the right side and 6-10 to 11-15 and 21-40 to 41-60 years on the left side. Breadth and thickness of ear lobule also showed statistically significant growth pattern in some age groups. On comparing the ear lobe dimensions with the studies available in other populations of the world, it was observed that north-west Indians have smaller ear lobules as compared to Caucasian and Japanese populations. In the present study, the frequency of attached (square) type of lobules was the maximum, followed by free (pendulous) type and tapering lobules. These findings were similar to those found among the Onge tribe of Andhra (India) and Newars of Nepal.