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Facial Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2441-3849
Original Research

Frontal Bone Morphology in Different Age and Gender Groups Using Computed Tomography

Arnavaz Hajizadeh Barfejani   *
1   School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
,
Amirhossein Noroozi   *
2   Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
,
Aida Karagah 
3   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
,
Maryam Tofangchiha
4   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
,
Farnaz Taghavi-Damghani
5   Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
Ahad Alizadeh
6   Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Abstract

Background The shape of the forehead is primarily determined by the frontal bone, which holds significance for health and aesthetics. This study evaluated the morphology of the frontal bone in different age groups and genders using computed tomography (CT).

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on CT scan results of 220 patients divided into three age groups: 20–29.27, 29.27–47.54, and 47.54–95 years. The investigation explored the lower and upper angles compared with the Sella–Nasion (SN) line, the maximum frontal projection with Nasion in the SN plan, and the variations in frontal thickness across different angles (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees) relative to the SN plane. All data were analyzed using R software, considering the significance level p < 0.05.

Results Of 220 patients, 119 were men, and the mean age of the participants was 41.09 ± 18.06 years. The average upper frontal slope (UFS) angle was 56.96 ± 8.17 degrees, which was 59.35 ± 7.92 degrees in females and 54.94 ± 7.86 degrees in males. The mean lower frontal slope (LFS) angle was 86.30 ± 7.96 degrees, which was 90.71 ± 6.67 degrees in females and 82.55 ± 7.00 degrees in males. The average contour nasion (C–N) distance was 7.51 ± 3.72 mm. Also, the frontal thickness at an angle of 15 degrees had the highest value of 13.08 ± 2.68 mm and at 30 degrees had the lowest value of 5.81 ± 1.56 mm. A significant difference was observed between the UFS and LFS among males and females (p < 0.001). Across all age groups, men exhibited a steeper angle, indicating a greater posterior inclination than women. Moreover, males with upper ages reported a significant increase in C–N distance and frontal projection (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of considering gender-specific variations in frontal bone structure when planning cosmetic or reconstructive procedures involving the forehead.

Keywords

frontal bone - frontal thickness - upper frontal slop - lower frontal slop

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran (IR.QUMS.REC.1402.075). All methods were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations that is Declaration of Helsinki.


Patient Consent

All subjects gave their informed consent to participate in the study.


Availability of Data and Materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


Authors' Contributions

A.H.B, A.N., A.K., and M.T. participated in the research design. A.H.B., F.T-D., and A.N. participated in writing the first draft. A.H.B., M.T., and A.A. participated in the performance of the research and analytic tools. A.H.B., A.A., and A.K. participated in data analysis. All authors reviewed and confirmed the final manuscript.


* These authors contributed equally to the article.




Publication History

Article published online:
11 November 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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