Morphometric Analysis of the Upper Lip in Koreans

Abstract

The aims of this study were to provide the various dimensions of the philtrum and upper red lip in Korean young adults and to identify morphological characteristics of these structures in Koreans. A total of 10 dimensions of the philtrum and upper red lip were measured in 251 healthy young adults. Various indices were calculated among the measured features. The philtrum could be classified into three types according to its shape and index data. The mean height of the philtrum was 15.6 mm and the mean width of the mouth was 45.5 mm. The width of the superior and inferior philtrum, the height of philtrum, the width of the mouth, and the height of the upper red lip were significantly larger in males than in females (p < 0.05). A subtle morphological difference in Cupid bow was observed between the genders. There was a negative correlation between the length of the philtral column and the height of the upper red lip (p < 0.05). Furthermore, differences were identified in the dimensions of the philtrum and the upper red lip between Koreans and Caucasians. The results of this study could be a useful morphological basis for correction and reconstruction of the upper lip.

Philtrum length and intercommissural distance measurements at mixed dentition period

“…The Phl/ICmD ratio indicates that the PhL is close to 1/3 of the mouth width. The PhL/ICmD ratio in our study were lower than those observed by Shin and Gil in adult Korean (0.36 in males and 0.32 in females) which also showed significant sexual dimorphism (Shin & Gil, 2014). The discrepancy in the results between the present study and that of Shin and Gil could be related to the difference in ethnic background and different age groups.…”

“…In the current study, the PhL showed significant difference between males and females in most groups. This is in agreement with several studies (Nascimento, Cassiani, & Dantas, 2013;Ngeow & Aljunid, 2009;Shin & Gil, 2014). Regarding ICmD, several studies found significantly larger values in males compared to females (Amini, Mashayekhi, Rahimi, & Morad, 2014;Ngeow & Aljunid, 2009).…”