Distribution of Morphometric Types of Craniofacial Features among Adult Rakhain Females in Bangladesh – An Anthropometric Study

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Craniofacial anthropometry is a vital tool in clinical, forensic, and anthropological disciplines, yet data from minority ethnic groups in Bangladesh remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of craniofacial morphometric types among adult Rakhain females and analyze key interrelationships among their craniofacial parameters. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 adult Rakhain females aged 25–45 years. Seventeen craniofacial linear measurements and six craniofacial indices were recorded. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analyses were performed to identify morphometric distributions and significant inter-variable relationships. Results: Mesocephalic head type (56.6%) and hypereuryprosopic or mesoprosopic face types predominated. The mean cephalic index was 78.55 ± 2.90, facial index 80.84 ± 7.54, and nasal index 72.38 ± 7.54. Most participants had mesorrhine noses, narrow orbits, and wide jaws. A moderate correlation was observed between morphological face height and mandible height (r = 0.509, p < 0.001), while stature had only a weak correlation with face height (r = 0.224, p = 0.025). The majority of craniofacial variables showed no significant correlation with stature. Conclusion: Adult Rakhain females exhibit a distinct craniofacial morphometric pattern characterized by mesocephalic heads, broad faces, and wide mandibles. These findings provide essential ethnic-specific reference data for clinical, forensic, and anthropological use.