Exploring the Correlation between Facial Index, Orbital Width and Intercanthal Distance in Adult Igbos of a Nigerian Population

Background: Facial anthropometry provides useful information on different facial features as well as population-specific variations that are crucial in forensic science and facial surgeries. The major aim of this research was to determine normal facial and orbital parameters in adult Igbos living in Enugu, Nigeria and to investigate the correlation between these variables.

Materials and Methods: This was an anthropometric study of adult Igbos of Igbo ancestry residing in Enugu metropolis, a town in South-eastern Nigeria. The morphological facial height, the maximum facial width, orbital width and intercanthal distance of each subject were measured. All data were collated and analyzed.

Results: Subjects studied were 312. They had a mean age of 37.05. The mean morphological facial height was 116.26 mm for males and 109.66mm for females. The mean maximum facial width for males was 121.31 mm, and for females 119.25. The mean facial index for males was 96.06, and 92.17 for females (p < 0.01) The mean right eye width of the men was 38.01mm and that of the women was 37.22 mm (p <0.05). The mean intercanthal distance of males was 34.94 mm, and 33.22mm for females. There was significant correlation (p <0.01) between maximum facial width and the widths of both eyes and the intercanthal distance respectively. Morphological facial height had a similar correlation. However, there was no significant correlation between the facial index and the eye widths and none with intercanthal distance.

Conclusion: There is strong correlation between orbital parameters and facial parameters except for facial index which had no significant correlation. The findings of this study have potential applications in forensic science, in the planning and assessment of facial reconstruction, aesthetic surgeries and orthodontics, as they provide valuable information about the facial structure of the Igbo population.