Facial Surface Anthropometric Features and Measurements With an Emphasis on Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Background Facial features and measurements are utilized to analyze patients’ faces for various reasons, including surgical planning, scientific communications, patient-surgeon communications, and post-surgery evaluations. Objectives There are numerous descriptions regarding these features and measurements scattered throughout the literature and we did not encounter a current compilation of these parameters in the medical literature. Methods A narrative literature review of the published medical literature for facial measurements used for facial analysis in rhinoplasty was done through the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar, along with a citation search. Results A total of 61 facial features were identified. 45 points (25 bilateral, 20 unilateral), five lines (three bilateral, two unilateral), eight planes, and three areas. A total of 122 measurements were identified: 48 distances (6 bilateral, 42 unilateral), 57 angles (13 bilateral, 44 unilateral), and 17 ratios. Supplemental Figures were created to depict all features and measurements using either a frontal, lateral or basal view of the face. Conclusions This paper provides the most comprehensive and current compilation of facial measurements to date. We believe this compilation will guide further developments (methodologies and software tools) for analyzing nasal structures and assessing the objective outcomes of facial surgeries, in particular rhinoplasty. Moreover, it will improve the communication as a reference for facial measurements of facial surface anthropometry, in particular rhinoplasty.

Detecting Facial Landmarks on 3D Models Based on Geometric Properties—A Review of Algorithms, Enhancements, Additions and Open-Source Implementations

“…Facial features (landmarks) and measurements that are in use by researchers and facial plastic surgeons were presented in a recent literature review article [21] and a free web-based facial analysis tool [22]. While there are over a hundred facial landmarks, we focused on the ones that are more relevant to facial plastic surgery.…”

“…They are the lowest points (or widest points) of the left and right nostrils, as seen from the lateral view on the columellar side at the mucocutaneous junction [21].…”

“…Cheilion is the landmark located at the oral commissure where the upper and lower lips meet on left/right side of the gently closed lips [21].…”

“…Columellat break point is the point in the columellar region of the nose where the tip of the nose stops curving, and the columellar linear structure begins, in the midline [21].…”

“…Endocanthion is the inner corners of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet [21]. In the literature, it is also known as Medial Canthus.…”