Anthropometric measurements of the external nose among Malay and Chinese: A Cross-sectional study from Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Nasal anthropometry is among the best clues to racial origin and sexual determination. The nose's shape and structure differ between genders, races, and ethnicities. The understanding of nasal anthropometry is applied in forensic medicine, nasal reconstruction surgery, and naso-facial dysmorphology identification. This research aimed to investigate the anthropometry of the external noses among Malay and Chinese university students in Sarawak. A total of 80 university students (40 males and 40 females) aged between 18 and 25 participated. The nasal height, length, width, and philtrum length were measured anthropometrically using a slide calliper. Malay males had significantly more nasal width than females (p<0.05). Nasal width, philtrum length, and nasal index were significantly higher in males than female Chinese students (p<0.05). The philtrum length was significantly longer in Chinese students than in Malays (p<0.05). Further study can be done by using a larger sample size to obtain a better representation of the particular ethnicities. In conclusion, sexual dimorphism and ethnic differences can be observed in the anthropometry of the external noses among Malay and Chinese in Sarawak.