Abstract

Background: Nasal anthropometry forms an important component of physical anthropology and has applications in forensic science, reconstructive surgery, and population studies. The nasal index varies significantly among different ethnic and regional populations due to genetic and environmental influences.1,2 Aim: To determine and compare the nasal index of adult populations from the Mewar and Vagad regions of Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 healthy adults aged 18–25 years at Pacific Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, after obtaining ethical approval. Nasal height and nasal breadth were measured using standard anthropometric techniques, and nasal index was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test. Results: The mean nasal index of the Vagad region was significantly higher than that of the Mewar region (p < 0.001). Leptorrhine nose type predominated in the Mewar region, while mesorrhine type was more common in the Vagad region. No statistically significant gender-based differences were observed. Conclusion: The study demonstrates significant regional variation in nasal index among populations of Southern Rajasthan, highlighting the influence of ethnic and regional factors.

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• 1.   Martin R, Saller K. Lehrbuch der Anthropologie. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer; 1957.
• 2.   Risley HH. The People of India. London: Thacker, Spink & Co; 1915.
• 3.   Williams PL, Bannister LH, Berry MM, et al. Gray’s Anatomy. 40th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2008.
• 4.   Farkas LG. Anthropometry of the Head and Face. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1994.
• 5.   Franciscus RG, Long JC. Variation in human nasal height and breadth. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1991;85:419–427.
• 6.   Thomson A, Buxton LH. Man’s nasal index in relation to climate. J R Anthropol Inst. 1923;53:92–122.
• 7.   Bhasin MK. Genetics of castes and tribes of India. Indian J Hum Genet. 2006;12:1–12.
• 8.   Patil GV, Shishirkumar. Study of nasal index in South Indian population. Int J Anat Res. 2014;2:414–417.
• 9.   Oladipo GS, Olabiyi AO, Oremosu AA. Nasal indices among ethnic groups. Sci Res Essays. 2007;2:20–22.
• 10.   Kumar A, Nagpal R. Anthropometric study of nasal parameters in North Indians. J Anat Soc India. Isha Srivastava, Hina Sharma, Kavita Dhidharia. Nasal Indices of Two Regions of Southern Rajasthan: A Cross-Sectional Study36 Indian Journal of Anatomy / Volume 15, Number 1 / January – April 2026 Indian Journal of Anatomy

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