nasal index

American  

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 British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of nasal index

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The nasal index varies from 84 to 140—a truly astonishing series of noses!

From The Negrito and Allied Types in the Philippines and The Ilongot or Ibilao of Luzon by Barrows, David Prescott

The average arm-reach was 1572, the average nose length 41 and breadth 40, the index varying from 85.7 to 135.5, while the average nasal index was 99.8.

From The Negrito and Allied Types in the Philippines and The Ilongot or Ibilao of Luzon by Barrows, David Prescott

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

From Man, Past and Present by Haddon, Alfred Court

Of the 76 Aeta I measured, 25 were ultraplatyrhinian—that is, had a nasal index greater than 109.

From Negritos of Zambales by Reed, William Allan

Of the total, five are leptorhine—that is, have the “narrow” nose with nasal index below 70.

From The Bontoc Igorot by Jenks, Albert Ernest