The spelling of the word "nasal line" can be explained through the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "na", is pronounced with a long "a" sound, like the word "name". The second syllable, "sal", uses a soft "s" sound followed by a short "a" sound, as in the word "apple". The final syllable, "line", includes a long "i" sound as in "mine". The word "nasal" refers to the nose and the word "line" refers to a shape or form. Thus, "nasal line" describes a line determined by the form or shape of the nose.
Nasal line refers to a term commonly used in the field of phrenology, which is the pseudoscience that links the shape and contours of the skull to an individual's psychological and personality traits. Specifically, the nasal line refers to a distinct ridge or line observed on the skull between the nasal cavity and the forehead.
In phrenology, practitioners believe that the nasal line serves as an indicator or measurement of certain personality characteristics. The shape, angle, or prominence of this line is believed to correspond to different traits, such as intelligence, emotional stability, aggression, or malleability.
However, it is important to note that phrenology has long been discredited as a legitimate scientific practice, and is now considered to be a form of pseudoscience. Its claims and explanations lack empirical evidence and are not supported by modern scientific approaches.
In contemporary usage, the term nasal line may also refer to a visible crease or line that forms on the skin between the nose and the upper lip. This line is often observed in certain individuals as they age or due to repetitive facial expressions, particularly those involving the movement of the upper lip.
One of Jadelot's lines.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.