Proportionality in KadazanDusun using neoclassical facial canons as criteria

Craniofacial anthropometry is the biological science of measuring face. It provides quantitative horizontal and vertical dimension of normal facial proportion. Objective: To determine the proportionality and determine variation in KadazanDusun using neoclassical facial canons as criteria. Methods: A total of 140 KadazanDusun adults comprising of 70 males and 70 females attending Klinik Pergigian Luyang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah were involved in the study. Five linear horizontal measurements were taken from each subject; intercanthal width (en-en), left palpebral fissure length (ex-en), and widths of the soft nose (al-al), mouth (ch-ch), and face (zy-zy). Standard anthropometric methods with modified instruments were used for all measurements. These five measurements correspond to four neoclassical facial canons; orbitonasal canons (en-en = al-al), orbital canon (en-en = en-ex), naso-oral canon (ch-ch = 1½ al-al) and nasofacial canon (al-al = ¼ zy-zy). Means and standard deviations were calculated for the differences between canons and their variations. Results: In general, male samples showed higher reading than female in all the measurements. However, as the analysis was done to study neoclassical facial canons/proportions, the differences were similar to start with, hence they were combined according to that described by Farkas. The facial proportion of KadazanDusun does not follow neoclassical facial canons. The naso-oral canon variation showed a relatively wider nose or narrower mouth appearance (ch-ch < 1½ al-al, 97.1%). The narrow interorbital width/wider nose variation (en-en < al-al) also occurred more frequently (96.4%). Ninety percent of subject shows a wider nose/narrower face feature (al-al > ¼ zy-zy). Conclusion: The nose of the KadazanDusun is proportionally larger in relationship to structures like the interorbital area, the mouth and the face.