How do I measure cephalic index?

Question

I want to know how to measure cephalic index without using a pair of calipers. Is it possible to know with a tape measure?

Answer 1

The cephalic index is the ratio of the width of a skull to the length.  You could try to make the measurements with a ruler.  This might be rather difficult to do on your self.

Answer 2

I doubt it since a caliper measures a direct line. If it's a home project for school why not make you a caliper?

Answer 3

Cephalic index is the ratio of the maximum width of the head to its maximum length (i.e., in the horizontal plane, or front to back). Technically, the measured factors are defined as the maximum width of the bones that surround the head, above the supramastoid crest (behind the cheekbones), and the maximum length from the most easily noticed part of the glabella (between the eyebrows) to the most easily noticed point on the back part of the head

Cephalic indices are grouped as follows:

Females Males Scientific term Meaning Alternative term

< 75% < 65% dolichocephalic 'long-headed' mesocranial

75% to 80% 65% to 75% mesocephalic 'medium-headed' mesaticephalic

> 80% > 75% brachycephalic 'short-headed' brachycranial