Abstract

Anthropometry is applied in medical profession, such as maxillofacial surgery, growth and development studies, plastic surgery, bioengineering and non-medical branches such as respiratory equipment and eye-glasses industries. The aim of this study was to determine face physical dimension and cephalo-facial anthropometric ratios in 4 to 11-year-old boys of Iranian Kurmanj population. This cross sectional analytical study was conducted randomly on 564 boys from North Khorasan (bojnourd), with normal face patterns. Cephalo-facial ratios and face physical dimension were estimated and compared. The regression line and the growth coefficient were determined for each parameter. Finally, the mean values of these parameters were determined. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Paired t-test was used for statistic analysis. Anthropometric results obtained from 4 to 11-year old Kurmanj boys residing in the city of Bojnourd show that there is a special discipline in growth of different parts of the face and skull. We reached formulas (Table 2) that may have a wide range of applications, such as prediction of facial situation of an individual before or after his/her present situation. Such predictions can be helpful in forensic medicine, for instance in finding the lost kids. Reaching a normal range for face dimensions through studies about growth will play an important role in maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery as well as in the study of growth disorders. Based on our findings in Kurmanj 4 to 11-year boys, we concluded that by age, craniofacial dimensions change at different rates and different craniofacial dimensions do not grow at consistent rates. Some parts grow slower as compared to others. There are different factors, such as ecologic, racial, age and sex besides all genetic factors that influence the human cephalo-facial dimensions and the way of its growth and development. Since the Iranian peoples is a compound one and consists of different races, and there are a wide variety of body dimensions in different parts of Iran, it is necessary to conduct more studies according to the geographical factors and the facial and skull anthropometric data shall be studied in different tribes of Iran. 

Key words: Anthropometry, cephalic, physical dimensions, face.