The Study Of Nasal Parameters (Nasal Height, Nasal Width, Nasal Index) Amonst The Yorubas Of Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine and compare the nasal parameters of male and female Yorubas for any existing differences or similarities. The study was carried out using a sample size of five hundred (500) male and five hundred (500) female Yoruba subjects. They were randomly selected from Shaki polytechnic in Oyo State. The ages of subjects ranged from 18 – 45years. Nasal widths and Nasal lheights were obtained with the aid of a sliding caliper, and nasal indices were calculated as: Nasal width/Nasal height x 100. The results were analyzed using discrete statistics while z-test was used for test of significance. Males had mean nasal width, height and index of 3.83cm,4.26cm and 90.02 respectively while those of females were 3.73cm, 4.47cm and 83.58 respectively .The mean nasal index of male Yorubas was significantly higher than that of female Yorubas (p<.05). The results of this study have shown that the mean nasal index of the Yorubas still falls within the nose type called platyrrhines(385.0). This data will be of importance in forensic science, clinical practice (plastic surgery) and anthropological studies. The data is therefore recommended to forensic experts, surgeons and anthropologists.