Facial Shape Variation in Humans
Abstract
The human face is a highly variable feature. Facial shape variation is seen between and within multiple populations. However, the source of this variation is mostly unknown. Furthermore, phenotypic variation is observed within syndromes that display a unique craniofacial phenotype. Because of this inherent variation, facial shape has a large clinical important and diagnostic significance. To explore facial shape variation, I have conducted several studies that examine the role of morphological integration in producing coordinated shape changes in the face. In these studies, I hypothesized that the size of the face and skull are correlated with facial shape; and that dysmorphic patients will display different morphological relationships between parts of the face, when compared to controls. These hypotheses were tested in several groups; namely healthy controls, patients with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate, and patients with ectodermal dysplasia. While these conditions have different etiologies, genetics, inheritance, mechanism of development, and resultant facial shape, using both of these patient groups has allowed me to explore these hypotheses in starkly different phenotypic groups. My studies have shown that the allometric factors of facial shape variation are complex and overlapping. Size represents a relatively small proportion of facial shape variation in humans. Furthermore, different classifications of cleft phenotypes are crucial when deciphering covariance structure in cleft individuals. Collectively, these studies have furthered the knowledge of complex craniofacial phenotypes, and have extended the knowledge on how allometry affects human facial shapes.
Description
Keywords
Anthropology, Anthropology--Physical, Anatomy, Health Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine and Surgery
Citation
Larson, J. R. (2017). Facial Shape Variation in Humans (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26141