title: Identification of facial shape by applying golden ratio to the facial measurements: an interracial study in malaysian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The "golden ratio" is considered as a universal facial aesthetical standard. Researcher's opinion that deviation from golden ratio can result in development of facial abnormalities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to study the facial morphology and to identify individuals with normal, short, and long face.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 300 Malaysian nationality subjects aged 18-28 years of Chinese, Indian, and Malay extraction. The parameters measured were physiognomical facial height and width of face, and physiognomical facial index was calculated. Face shape was classified based on golden ratio. Independent t test was done to test the difference between sexes and among the races.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean values of the measurements and index showed significant sexual and interracial differences. Out of 300 subjects, the face shape was normal in 60 subjects, short in 224 subjects, and long in 16 subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As anticipated, the measurements showed variations according to gender and race. Only 60 subjects had a regular face shape, and remaining 240 subjects had irregular face shape (short and long). Since the short and long shape individuals may be at risk of developing various disorders, the knowledge of facial shapes in the given population is important for early diagnostic and treatment procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), International Centre for Health Sciences, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vasanthakumar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Packiriswamy
authors.forename: Pramod
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Mohandas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rao