ANTHROPOMETRY

PRESENTED BY: AJIBOYE ADEFIKAYO A.

LECTURER: DR. A.S. ALABI

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 OUTLINE
 Definition and introduction
Subdivision of anthropometry
 History of anthropometry
 Anthropometric Measurements
Anthropometric somatotypes
 Anthropometric tools
 Application of Anthropometry
 Factors Affecting Anthropometry
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 Definition and Introduction
 Anthropometry is the science of obtaining
systematic measurements of the human body
(Biologydictionary, 2017).
 Specifically, anthropomorphic measurements
involve the size, structure, and composition

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 Subdivisions of Anthropometry
Somatometry Osteometry
 It is the measurement  It is defined as a technique
of the living body. to take measurements on
the skeleton and its body
 Somatometry is useful
parts.
in the study of age  The technique has been
estimation from successfully used in the
different body estimation of stature, age,
segments in a given set sex and race in forensic
of individuals. and legal sciences.
(Krishan, 2006).
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 History of Anthropometry
 Although the process of obtaining human
measurements had originated in ancient civilizations,
but for racial superiority and artistic purposes.
Alphonse Bertillon is credited as the father of
anthropometry based on his classification system.
He classified each individual as small, medium, or
large.
This anthropometric system was subsequently termed
“Bertillonage” and spread rapidly throughout the
world during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

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 History of Anthropometry
 Anthropometry first developed in the 19th century as
a method employed by physical anthropologists for the
study of human variation and evolution in both living
and extinct populations.
 Prior to 19th century, anthropometric measurements
have been used by ancient civilizations of Rome,
Greece, and Egypt.
 Today, the use of computers has resulted in the
evolution of morphometrics into the field of geometric
morphometrics which uses powerful computational
modeling to analyze various characteristics.

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 Anthropometric Measurements
 Weight, height, limb lengths.
 Head, waist , Hip, thigh circumference.
 Body mass, Body adiposity, abdominal
volume, Body shape index.
 Waist to hip and shoulder to height ratio
 Skin fold thickness(Krishan, 2006).

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 Anthropometric Somatotypes
Anthropometric measurement has been used
to describe particular human physiques,
known as somatotypes. There are three main
somatotypes; ectomorph, mesomorph and
endomorph(Biologydictionary, 2017).

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 Anthropometric Somatotypes
ECTOMORPHS
• these are humans whose tissues
are derived primarily from the
ectoderm,
• features:
• linear body shape,
• large surface area,
• thin muscles and subcutaneous
tissue, and
• moderately developed digestive
viscera.
• Ectomorphy is calculated by
obtaining height and mass
measurements and assessing the
level of linearity
(Biologydictionary, 2017). 9
 Anthropometric Somatotypes
MESOMORPHS
• mesomorph refers to
humans whose tissues are
derived primarily from the
mesoderm, exhibited by
• increased muscle, bone, and
connective tissue.
• Such individuals typically
have a hard physique and
rectangular shape,
intermediate between the
endo- and ectomorph
(Biologydictionary, 2017).
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 Anthropometric Somatotypes
ENDOMORPHS
• humans whose tissues are
predominantly derived
from the endoderm,
• features :
• soft,
• round shape,
• large digestive viscera,
• fat accumulation,
• large trunk, and
• tapering extremities
(Biologydictionary, 2017).
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 Anthropometric tools
 Stadiometers: height
 Anthropometers: length and circumference of
body segments
 Biocondylar calipers: bone diameter
 Skinfold calipers: skin thickness and subcutaneous
fat
 Scales: weight
 X-rays
 MRI
 Clinical photographs.
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 Application of Anthropometry
Anthropometry has been applied to a wide
range of fields including:
 Paleoanthropology and human evolution
 Biological anthropology
 Craniometry and craniofacial attributes
 Criminology and Forensics
 Industrial design and architecture
 Clothing (e.g., military uniforms)
 Medicine
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Factors Affecting Anthropometry

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Factors Affecting Anthropometry

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Factors Affecting Anthropometry

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Factors Affecting Anthropometry

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 Conclusion
Although anthropometry is not a new
scientific field however it has shown relevance
in wide array of discipline in modern times,
especially with the advent of computers,
anthropometry help in dimensional data
collection, analysis , planning and comparison
of results and provides answers to previously
elusive mysteries.

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 Reference
 Biologydictionary.net Editors.
“Anthropometry”. Biology Dictionary,
Biologydictionary.net, 15 May.2017,
https://biologydictionary.net/anthropometry/.
Krishan K. Anthropometry in Forensic Medicine
and Forensic Science-’Forensic Anthropometry’.
The Internet Journal of Forensic Science. 2006
Volume Number 1.
 https://soloabadi.com/en/factors-that-cause-
anthropometric-data-variations/
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