Facial index is a term used in anthropology to describe the proportion of facial features in relation to one's skull. The spelling of "facial index" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈfeɪʃəl ˈɪndɛks/. The stress is on the first syllable of "facial" and the second syllable of "index". The "a" in "facial" is pronounced as the "a" in "pay" while the "i" in "index" is pronounced as the "i" in "pit".
The facial index is a term used in anthropology and anatomy to describe a quantitative measurement that represents the relative proportions of certain facial features of an individual. It is determined by calculating the ratio between the width and length of specific facial elements, usually the width of the face and the length of the face or the nose.
The facial index is often used to classify or categorize individuals into different racial or ethnic groups based on their facial structure. For instance, it has been historically utilized to differentiate between long-faced and round-faced individuals, or to distinguish between various racial groups like Caucasians, Africans, or Asians. However, it is important to note that the facial index is not considered a definitive way of determining one's racial or ethnic identity.
Anthropologists and anatomists use the facial index as a tool to study and compare facial characteristics among different populations. By quantifying the proportions of various facial features, researchers can identify patterns and variations that may be associated with certain genetic or environmental factors. Furthermore, the facial index can also provide insights into the evolution of facial anatomy and its relationship to other physical traits.
It is worth mentioning that the facial index has its limitations, as it only offers a numerical representation of facial proportions and does not capture the full complexity and uniqueness of an individual's facial features. Therefore, it is crucial to consider this index along with other morphological traits and individual characteristics when analyzing facial diversity.
Relation of the length of the face to its maximum width between the malar prominences; to get the superior facial i., the length is measured from the nasion or ophryon to the alveolar point = ophryo-alveolar (nasialveolar) lengthx100/bizygomatic width; for the total facial i., the mandible is included in the length, measured from the nasion or ophryon to the mental tubercle, = ophryomental (nasimental) lengthx100/bizygomatic width.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.