Geometric Morphometric Study of ear Shape in Four Chinese Ethnic Minority Populations

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate how ear shape in adults changes with age and ethnicity among four Chinese minority groups: Buyi, Tibetan, Tu, and Salar. We employed a combined approach using linear measurements and 2D geometric morphometrics to comprehensively assess ear shape variation. Our findings revealed a significant effect of age on ear shape, independent of overall size. Specifically, older adults exhibited a slender helix and antihelix especially in the lower region. Interestingly, the helix showed … Show more