Comparative Evaluation of Nasal Index and its Role in Sexual Dimorphism in Central Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Nasal Index (NI) is a sensitive anthropometric index. It exhibits sexual difference and has become useful tool in forensic medicine and reconstructive surgery. It is an important anthropometric parameter for classification of gender of a person whose identity is not known. Aim: To determine the values of the nasal parameters such as Nasal Height (NH), Nasal Breadth (NB) and NI, clinically and radiographically for male and female and also to compare the NI and its role in sexual dimorphism. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of a premium Medical College in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, between July 2017 and July 2019, study included total 392 subjects (196 males and 196 females), aged between 18 to 60 years. Posteroanterior (PA), Cephalogram (Ceph) was taken for all the study subjects. NH and NB were measured both clinically and radiographically. NI was then calculated as NB/NHx100. The data was analysed statistically using unpaired Student's t-test. Results: As males and females were equally divided, major subjects belonged to the age group of 41-50 years (31.63%), followed by 51-60 years (27.04%). Radiographic findings of NH were found to be statistically higher in males (47.46 +/- 2.26 mm) while clinical findings of NH were found to be statistically higher in females (55.66 +/- 3.21 mm). Radiographic findings and clinical findings of NB were found to be statistically higher in males (33.95 +/- 2.41 mm, 37.19 +/- 2.44 mm) as compared to females (30.55 +/- 1.50 mm, 32.41 +/- 1.58 mm). Radiographic findings and clinical findings of the NI were found to be statistically higher in males (71.70 +/- 6.21, 69.94 +/- 5.87) as compared to females (67.02 +/- 5.21, 58.44 +/- 4.70). Conclusion: Nasal parameters showed significant differences between males and females in Central Indian population, suggesting sexual dimorphism and also serve as important clinical and radiographical tools useful in nasal surgeries, anthropometry and forensic medicine.