Anthropometric analysis of Lips and Philtrum: A Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Among the various facial landmarks, the lips and philtrum play an important role in evaluating sexual dimorphism and optimal esthetic and facial reconstruction. The shape of the lips is affected by various factors like race, gender and ethnicity. The aim of the present study was to measure the various parameters of lips and philtrum which may serve as guideline for sexual dimorphism as well as esthetic facial reconstruction among the youth.

Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2025 to August 2025 with a sample size of 300 medical students of age group 19-24 years from Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. For this study, direct lips measurement was performed with a closed lips position by the help of digital vernier caliper. The data were analyzed by applying t-test using SPSS version 19 and calculated as mean±standard deviation. The p ≤ 0.05 were considered as the level of significance.

Results: The study showed that the sexual dimorphism exist in most of the lips and philtrum parameters among the young male and female, the various parameters of lips and philtrum were statistically (p<0.05) highern male compared to the female. Height of philtrum and total surface area of the lips were not significant (p>0.05). Triangular type of philtrum was more common in male and parallel type in female.

Conclusions: The study highlighted that the variations in the lips and philtrum parameters can be because of the geographical, racial, gender and nutritional aspect of the individual and applies significance to the forensic investigation, esthetic surgery and sexual dimorphism.