Nasal Indices among Bini Adolescents in Edo State, Nigeria

Human nose occurs in many shapes and sizes and ethnic influences may result in different appearances of the nose. The classification of nose shapes can be based on nasal indices. This study was undertaken to determine the nasal indices of the Binis, between the ages of 12 and 15 years in order to classify the nose types. The study sample consisted of 200 subjects; 100 males and 100 females who were sampled purposively, from 14 secondary schools that were randomly selected. Nasal height and nasal width were measured in mm, using digital vernier caliper (Mitutoyo, Japan). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive statistics and independent sample t test. P <= 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics showed minimum and maximum nasal indices to be 83.10 and 121.89 in males and 77.07 and 137.24 in females. T-test revealed mean nasal indices were 99.13 and 99.27 for males and females respectively, and the difference is statistically not significant at 0.05 levels. The mean nasal indices of 99.13 and 99.27 fall under the platyrrhine type of nose. The distribution of the nose types showed platyrrhine to be 92% (male = 48%; female = 44%) and the dominant type among the Binis. Mesorrhine was 8% (male = 2%; female = 6%). The least was leptorrhine that was not present among the Bini adolescents. Its relevance may be found in forensic and clinical practice.