Age-Related Changes in the External Noses of the Anatolian Men

Knowledge of age-related nasal region measurements in Anatolian men; growth changes between adult and old age.

The nose plays a critical role in determining the external appearance of an individual. Craniofacial anthropometry has been commonly used in forensic anthropology and medicine.

A total of 300 men (100 between 20-40 years; 100 between 40-60 years and 100 60-up years) were measured using a photographic technic from the Image J program. From the landmarks, 13 linear distances and 3 angles were calculated and averaged for age groups.

The means of nasal bridge lengths of three age groups were 60.30, 63.43 and 64.63 mm, respectively. The average nasal tip protrusions of three groups were 24.31, 26.69 and 27.53 mm, respectively. Nasolabial angle, nasal bridge length and tip protrusion, anatomic and morphologic nose width and root width were statistically different between the three age groups (p < 0.05).

Results collected in this study could serve as a data bank for nasal anthropometry during aging and development. The assessment of teratogenic-induced traumas, craniofacial alteration, facial reconstruction, aging of dead person and personal identification may be assisted by age data from Anatolian men from age data banks.

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