Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2013, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (03): 345-353.

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Facial soft tissue thickness measurement and its application in craniofacial reconstruction

SHUI Wu-yang; ZHOU Ming-quan; JI Yuan; YIN Rong-chao   

  • Online:2013-09-15 Published:2013-09-15

Abstract: As a fundamental part of craniofacial reconstruction, soft tissue thickness is key. This paper, based on 132 adult craniofacial samples, with the aid of computer technology, explores measurement, analysis and application of soft tissue. The results are as follows: 1) By analyzing the soft tissue thickness of landmarks and facial soft tissue distribution, it has been shown that the arrangement of facial soft tissues has some rules: the forehead is thin with small differences between various samples, while the cheek is thick with large differences between various samples. 2) By comparing soft tissue thickness averages of males of different ages, it has been shown that these averages between 20 and 30 are the lowest, the next are between 50 and 60 with the highest between 30 and 40, and whose thickness averages are similar to males between 40 and 50. Comparing tissue thickness averages for females of different ages, it has been shown that averages between 20 to 30 ages are the lowest, next are between 30 and 40 with the highest between 40 to 50. 3) The standard deviation of soft tissue thickness can reflect differences in face? building,? therefore,? face? building? classification? can? be? achieved? based? on? the? average? and? standard deviation of facial soft tissue thickness of 10 landmarks on the cheek. 4) Based on soft tissue thickness averages of landmarks of various ages, genders and construction, we adopt computer ?technology ?to? achieve ?craniofacial? reconstruction ?of ?an? unidentified? skull,? the ?result ?of? which ?is ?more ?scientific ?than? the ?traditional ?manual ?method.

Key words: Skull; Landmark; Soft tissue; Thickness; Craniofacial reconstruction