Anthropometric proportions in the upper lip-lower lip-chin area of the lower face in young white adults

Abstract

The relationships between measurements of the lower lip, chin, upper lip, and lower half and lower third of the face were studied. Fifteen new indices were formed with the help of eleven vertical linear, one horizontal linear, and two surface-arc measurements in the area. Neoclassic canons related to the lower face were not confirmed. On the average, the lower lip was 83% to 85% as large as the upper lip. The upper lip occupied one third of the lower face, while the lower lip occupied more than one third of the lower third of the face and the chin occupied the remainder. Skin covered 73.5% of the upper lip in males and 68% in females; it covered 63% of the lower lip in males and 61.1% in females. The remainder was covered by vermilion, more on the lower than on the upper lip and more protruding in females than in males. Proportion standards are a valuable contribution to the surface anatomy of the lower face of young white adults.