Morphological Variation of Lip Patterns among Nepali Adults

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Anthropology
• Human Anatomy

Background:

• Lip patterns are unique, unchangeable lines and fissures on the lips.
• These patterns form in the transitional zone between inner labial mucosa and outer skin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predominant lip patterns in the Nepali population.
• To investigate potential sex-based differences in lip patterns.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed lip patterns of 411 healthy adult Nepalis (215 males, 196 females, aged 18-27).
• Utilized an automated camera (Canon EOS 3000D) for data collection.
• Classified lip patterns into four quadrants using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi's system.

Main Results:

• Lip pattern Type I was most common (29.56% overall).
• Type I was prevalent in both males (28.72%) and females (30.48%).
• Chi-square tests showed no statistically significant sex differences across quadrants (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Observed variations in lip patterns compared to previous Nepali studies.
• Lip patterns exhibit insignificant sex differences in this population.
• Lip patterns are not recommended for forensic sex discrimination.