nasal index

noun

1. Craniometry. (of the skull) the ratio of the distance from nasion to the lower margin of the nasal aperture to that of the maximum breadth of the nasal aperture.
2. Cephalometry. (of the head) the ratio of the maximum breadth of the external nose to its height from the nasal root to where the septum is confluent with the upper lip.

nasal index

noun

1. the ratio of the widest part of the nose to its length multiplied by 100

Word History and Origins

Origin of nasal index¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

This tool was first suggested more than 100 years ago by French physician and anthropologist Paul Topinard, who divided the width of the nose from its widest portion at the base by its height and called the result the nasal index.

From Nature

All these Negrito peoples, as has been pointed out, show considerable diversity in physical characters, none of the existing groups, with the exception of the Andamanese, appearing to be homogeneous as regards cephalic or nasal index, while the stature, though always low, shows considerable range.

From Project Gutenberg

The average nasal index is 84 with extremes of 71.4 and 100.

From Project Gutenberg

The data for the women were: stature 1486, arm-reach 1491, nasal index 85.7 to 108.8, average 99.7, cephalic index 78.59.

From Project Gutenberg

The stature, arm-reach, and cephalic and nasal indices of these Igorot are arranged below: Height Arm-reach Cephalic Index Nasal Index 1481 1489 83.0 82.9 1490 1550 75.7 85.8 1496 1532 78.9 104.8 1499 1556 79.7 83.3 1500 1567 76.8 83.5 1512 1588 87.5 75.0 1522 1583 76.0 89.4 1546 1602 81.2 97.7 1596 1564 82.3 79.1 1615 1647 96.3 105.0 Of these statures all but one are “short,” or below 1600.

From Project Gutenberg