Application of geometric morphometrics for facial congenital anomaly studies

• Motoki Katsube

  Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan

• Shigehito Yamada

  Congenital Anomaly Research Center Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan

• Natsuko Utsunomiya

  Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan

• Naoki Morimoto

  Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Japan

Abstract

The face is a small complex three‐dimensional (3D) structure composed of various bones and essential organs. Congenital anomalies of those organs represent various deformities; therefore, their quantification has been challenging. Linear measurements, such as lengths or angles between landmarks, called conventional morphometrics, have been used to quantify their phenotypes usually using 2D images, such as photographs or X‐ray images. During analysis, geometric information, which refers to the relative position of each structure, is lost. Geometric morphometrics (GM) uses shape configurations, including anatomical landmarks, which can retain geometric information throughout analysis and can help visualize the results, making it tremendously advantageous compared to conventional methods. Morphometric studies investigate variations within groups, identification of group differences, simulation of the ontogeny, or association with specific organs or genetic disorders, and GM can be applied to these purposes using multivariate statistical methods. The calculation of high‐dimensional data is usually required and has prevented GM from becoming a major morphometric method. However, recent developments in computer technology and software have enabled us to perform it easily with ordinary home computers, and the number of morphometric studies applying GM for facial congenital anomalies has been increasing recently. In this article, we introduce the concept and application of GM and review previous morphometric studies with GM regarding congenital facial anomalies.

Journal

• Congenital Anomalies

  Congenital Anomalies 62 (3), 88-95, 2022-02-17

  Wiley

Keywords

• Developmental Biology
• Embryology
• General Medicine
• Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Details

• CRID: 1360291116087461888
• NII Article ID: 210000188847
• DOI: 10.1111/cga.12461
• ISSN: 17414520
• ISSN: 09143505
• Web Site: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cga.12461
• Web Site: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/cga.12461
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2023157667
• Data Source:
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  • KAKEN