DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2020.v08i03.006

Pages: 285-291

Craniofacial analysis of soft tissues using photographs provides information about the normative values of various facial parameters of a given ethnic group or race. It could also aid diagnosis of any form of deviation or abnormalities as well as help in the design of treatment plan for orthodontic, maxillofacial or facial plastic surgery. The aim of the study was to compare some linear facial parameters of adult male Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba of southern Nigeria using photogrammetry and to compare the mean values of each of the parameters of these negroid populations with those of other races. The study made use of a total number of one thousand two hundred (1200) subjects with four hundred (400) drawn from each of the Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw ethnic groups whose ages ranged from 21 to 40 years. Determination of minimum sample size was done using the Taro-Yamane’s formula. The study employed the use of standardized photographic record of the 1200 adults taken in the natural head position. Photographs were analysed using a software tool (WinImager). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2019. Results showed ethnic variations across the different ethnic groups. Age related changes were also observed. On comparison to other races, noticeable differences were observed which underscores racial variation. These values describe the norm and anthropometric position of southern Nigeria among other races. This could be use in medicine, anthropometric studies and forensics.