Post by djoser-xyyman on Oct 12, 2010 14:42:21 GMT -5
A systematic review of the nasal index and the significance
of the shape and size of the nose in rhinology
Leong, S.C. & Eccles, R.
Common Cold Centre and Healthcare Clinical Trials, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Accepted for publication 11 February 2009
Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34, 191–198
Background: There was great interest in the 19th and
early 20th century in classifying human races as Caucasian,
Asian African etc. according to nasal shape and size,
and the nasal index was the most commonly used measurement
to differentiate races.
Objective of review: To determine if there is any clinical
relevance of the shape and size of the nose in relation to
physiology, pathology and surgery.
Type of review: Systematic review.
Search strategy: A structured search of PubMed was performed
from 1966 to 2008 for each section of the review
focusing on the ethnic variations in nasal index, the effect
of climate of nasal shape, ethic variations of nasal physiology
and racial predilection for sinonasal pathology.
Results: Nasal proportions do vary between ethnic groups
but the size and shape of the nose does not define Caucasian,
Asian and African races respectively. Anthropologists
agree that the nasal variations are due to man’s adaptation
to the environment. However, this theory remains to be
proven. Published data on nasal physiology have not
shown significant differences between the ethnic groups
despite obvious differences in nasal proportions. There is
no evidence of ethnic specific predilection to disease due to
anatomical variation, physiological vulnerability or genetic
susceptibility. Rhinology research is often confounded by
classifying populations according to race, as racial characteristics
are not based on any scientific principles and the
nasal index may be a more reliable discriminator. The only
area in which the size and shape of the nose is of relevance
is in aesthetic and reconstruction surgery.
Conclusions: Nasal proportions are important aesthetically
but appear to have little relevance to the rhinologist.
of the shape and size of the nose in rhinology
Leong, S.C. & Eccles, R.
Common Cold Centre and Healthcare Clinical Trials, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Accepted for publication 11 February 2009
Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34, 191–198
Background: There was great interest in the 19th and
early 20th century in classifying human races as Caucasian,
Asian African etc. according to nasal shape and size,
and the nasal index was the most commonly used measurement
to differentiate races.
Objective of review: To determine if there is any clinical
relevance of the shape and size of the nose in relation to
physiology, pathology and surgery.
Type of review: Systematic review.
Search strategy: A structured search of PubMed was performed
from 1966 to 2008 for each section of the review
focusing on the ethnic variations in nasal index, the effect
of climate of nasal shape, ethic variations of nasal physiology
and racial predilection for sinonasal pathology.
Results: Nasal proportions do vary between ethnic groups
but the size and shape of the nose does not define Caucasian,
Asian and African races respectively. Anthropologists
agree that the nasal variations are due to man’s adaptation
to the environment. However, this theory remains to be
proven. Published data on nasal physiology have not
shown significant differences between the ethnic groups
despite obvious differences in nasal proportions. There is
no evidence of ethnic specific predilection to disease due to
anatomical variation, physiological vulnerability or genetic
susceptibility. Rhinology research is often confounded by
classifying populations according to race, as racial characteristics
are not based on any scientific principles and the
nasal index may be a more reliable discriminator. The only
area in which the size and shape of the nose is of relevance
is in aesthetic and reconstruction surgery.
Conclusions: Nasal proportions are important aesthetically
but appear to have little relevance to the rhinologist.