Assessment of Lip Morphometry and Sexual Dimorphism Among Medical Students of Gujarat

Authors

  • Urvashi Chandan
  • Jagdish Soni

Keywords:

Lip morphometry, Sexual dimorphism, Gujarati population, Lip measurements, Vermillion height, Mouth width, Facial anthropometry, Facial esthetics, Digital Vernier caliper, Normative data

Abstract

Background: Lips play a crucial role in facial expression, speech, mastication and overall facial esthetics. The morphology of the lips significantly influences the appearance of the lower third of the face and contributes to social perception and attractiveness. Sexual dimorphism in lip morphology has been documented in different populations, highlighting the need for population-specific normative data as it is helpful in many aspects of forensic, esthetic facial and clinical practice.

Aim:The present study aimed to establish standard reference values for lip morphometry and to compare these parameters between male and female Gujarati students.

Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 Gujarati medical students (125 males and 125 females). Facial measurements were obtained using a Digital Vernier caliper with the head positioned in the Frankfurt plane. Parameters measured included lip width, upper lip height, upper vermillion height, lower lip height and lower vermillion height.

Results:In females, the mean cutaneous upper lip height was 17.30 ± 2.07 mm and exceeded the upper vermillion height (8.00 ± 1.47 mm). The lower vermillion height was 9.52 ± 1.48 mm, while the mean lower lip height was 14.91 ± 2.14 mm. Lip width recorded the highest mean value (46.72 ± 3.62 mm). In males, the mean upper lip height was 19.03 ± 2.35 mm. The upper vermillion height measured 9.30 ± 1.74 mm, the lower lip height was 16.59 ± 2.34 mm, and the lower vermillion height was 10.30 ± 1.67 mm. Mouth width showed the highest mean value (49.73 ± 5.08 mm). Overall mouth width exhibited the greatest variability, whereas vermillion height parameters showed lower dispersion. All parameters demonstrated statistically highly significant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.001), with males showing consistently higher mean values than females.

Conclusion:
The study establishes normative lip morphometric data for the Gujarati population and demonstrates clear sexual dimorphism. These findings may be useful in plastic and reconstructive surgery, forensic science, anthropology and aesthetic facial procedures

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Published

2025-12-25

How to Cite

1.
Chandan U, Soni J. Assessment of Lip Morphometry and Sexual Dimorphism Among Medical Students of Gujarat. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 25 [cited 2026 May 9];14(33S):700-11. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/10052