Photographic analysis of faces of 20-year-old students in Iran.

We studied 100 20-year-old students at the University of Kerman in Iran. On life-sized frontal and profile photographs, we measured nine linear and seven angular indices. The mean (S.D.) distance in mm between the two medial canthi was 31 (3), width of alar base 37 (3), length of nose 48 (4), width of mouth 50 (4), length of upper lip 20 (2), nasolabial angle 98 degrees (10 degrees ), nasofrontal angle 130 degrees (9 degrees ), and angle of throat 120 degrees (14 degrees ). Most of the indices were similar in men and women. When we compared our results with studies elsewhere we found many differences and this shows the need to record the facial indices in different races and ethnic groups separately. The use of these indices in maxillofacial surgery, rhinoplasty, and plastic surgery should take account of these differences.