Anthropometric Analysis of CT Images Using 3D Slicer Software and Establishment of Facial Index Norms Among Iraqi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Craniofacial anthropometry, Facial index, Sexual dimorphism, 3D Slicer, Iraqi population.
AuthorsAbstractBackground: Understanding craniofacial anthropometry is an important approach in respect of sexual dimorphism and population specific features. Facial index (ratio of facial height to width) is widely used to classify distinct facial types and assess morphological differences between populations. Objective: The present study aims to implement the traditional anthropometric methods for assessing facial height, facial width and facial index among Iraqi adults. It also aims to delineate normative facial types according to Banister’s classification. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study included of 200 Iraqi adults (100 male, 100 female) aged 18-30 years. Standard anthropometric techniques were used to measure facial height (N– Me) and facial width (Zy– Zy) using CT images and 3D Slicer Software and then the facial index was calculated based on Banister’s classification. Descriptive statistics, normality tests, independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation and Chi-square tests employed for data analysis. Results: Males mean facial height, width and facial index were significantly greater than females (p < 0.001), suggesting robust sexual dimorphism. Correlation analysis showed that in both sexes, facial height was positively correlated with facial index (P < 0.001), whereas the relationship of width to the index was negative. Males showed long facial types and females round facial types as shown in the crosstabulation. Conclusion: Significant sexual dimorphism was observed in craniofacial parameters among Iraqi population, with the facial index and facial type being accurate measures for sex estimation. The results provide valuable population-specific reference data and support the use of craniofacial measurements in forensic and anthropological applications.
Received-18-05-2026 Revised-20-06-2026 Accepted-25-06-20.26
IntroductionFacial morphology is one of the most distinctive aspects of human biological variation and occupies a central position in anthropological, clinical and forensic investigations (Jaiswal, 2024; Richmond et al., 2018). One of the main strategies employed in characterizing facial morphology is identification of face types on the basis of facial index obtained through ratio between the height and width of face (Mohan et al., 2024). An index that lets a person be classified into multiple very broad, broad, round, long and very long face types, for comparing craniofacial proportions to populations using standardized indices (Mohan et al., 2024; Vezzetti & Marcolin, 2012). Sexual dimorphism is the term for systematic differences in anatomical features between males and females of the same species. Craniofacial anthropology usually measures sexual dimorphism as facial height, width and overall proportion (da Silva et al., 2023). Facially, males often have larger and longer facial structures while females seem to have relatively shorter and wider facial shapes (Windhager et al., 2011). These differences are driven by
Hibah Ezzat Rashid Berum3 3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Babylon, Al-Hilla, Babylon, Iraq. Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: hibah.berum@uobabylon.edu.iq, ORCID: 0009-0004-4144-0419 Israa Hussein Ali4 4 Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Babylon, Al-Hilla, Babylon, Iraq. E-mail: dent.israa.ali@uobabylon.edu.iq, ORCID: 0000-0002-5796-7365
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org- Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC.
EJPRD
Copyright © 2026 by Riset Publishing Services LLC