Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 2 (1), 020-022, January 2007          
ISSN 1992-2248 © 2007 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Nasal indices among major ethnic groups in southern Nigeria

Oladipo, G. S.^1*, Olabiyi, A. O.², Oremosu, A.A.² and Noronha, C. C.²

¹Anatomy Department Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:oladipogabriel@yahoo.com.

 Tel: 08056103177.

Accepted 27 December, 2006

Nasal index is an ethnicity sensitive anthropometric index; it is one of the important anthropometric parameters for suggesting the race and sex of an individual whose identity is unknown. In the present study, authors have worked out nasal indices in subjects of Igbo, Yoruba and Ijaw ethnic groups. 750 subjects each of Igbo and Yoruba with 175 subjects of Ijaw ethnic groups were measured for nasal height (NH) and nasal breadth (NB). Then the nasal indices were calculated from the measurements. The results showed that on the average, the Igbos had a mean nasal index of 94.1± 0.37, Yorubas 89.2±0.30 and the Ijaws 96.37±1.06. Thus the Ijaws had a significantly higher nasal index (p<0.05) than either the Igbos or Yorubas. Sexual dimorphism was also observed in all the ethnic groups studied with males having significantly higher (p<0.05) nasal index than the females. However, the three ethnic groups still fall within the same nose type platyrrhine (short and broad nose) expected of an African population. The result of this study has confirmed anthropological differences amongst the three Nig-erian ethnic groups investigated.

Key words: Nasal indices, ethnic differences, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw.