Introduction: Anthropological studies have documentdifferences in craniofacial features as well as in bodycharacteristics among different populations. The variations inthe facial morphology arise through a differential growth andthey help us in distinguishing one person from another. Theseare controlled by a number of factors which include geneticheritage, climate and environment in which we live. Very fewresearchers from India have worked on these facial featureswith respect to population and environment. The presentwork was undertaken to determine whether facial variationswere subjected to sexual dimorphism. In addition, comparisonof facial indices was made, in order to determine possiblevariations between south and north Indian populations.Methods: The sample consisted of 200 individuals, 100 eachfrom north and south Indian regions. Various facial parameterswere determined on the basis of international anatomicaldescription and facial indices were calculated.Results: North Indian males and females had highest facialheight and upper facial height. Facial width of south Indianswas more as compared to that of north Indians in both sexes.Regression equation was calculated to compare the probableheight with actual height.Conclusion: All the facial parameters and facial indices werefound to be statistically highly significant and they showed interregional and gender variations. These indices will be beneficialin facial reconstruction surgeries, maxillofacial surgeries, andin forensic medicine, for estimating the stature and sex of anindividual.
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