Somatoscopic traits of human

Introduction

Somatoscopy is a qualitative method using a descriptive characterization in evaluation of human body features (i.e. verbal evaluation). It belongs among the basic methods used to study biological variability of humans. And that is why it is used in anthropology, medicine or criminalistic and forensic fields. Even though at the present age, metric and morphometric approaches are becoming more and more preferred because of the struggle for higher objectivity and repeatability of methods, somatoscopy can be considered a rightful alternative in cases in which the use of metric methods is too difficult or even impossible.

About the catalogue

This interactive electronic teaching aid contains teaching texts and it allows browsing, searching and printing of basic types and forms of somatoscopic (non-metric) body traits. The catalogue contains somatoscopic traits of face and body in the form of shaded graphics and contours. The teaching aid contains frequencies (percentage representation) of categories of selected face traits in Czech population. The data is based on a set of 100 Czech men and 100 Czech women between the ages of 18 and 35. This teaching aid also contains frequencies (percentage representation) of categories of selected body traits in current Czech population. The data is based on a set of 309 people, specifically 164 men (53 %) and 145 women (47 %). The age of people in the examined population ranged from 25 to 69 years of age. In men, the population median was 44 years of age and the age ranged from 25 to 66 years of age. In women, the population median was 48 years of age and the age ranged from 25 to 65 years of age.

Somatoscopic face traits

Somatoscopic body traits

Back

Body posture

The body posture is evaluated from the right lateral view of the proband’s body. The trait is divided into 4 trait categories for men and women both. The evaluated degrees of trait development are: 1. hyperkyphotic (large lumbar and cervical lordosis, resulting in a protruding chest kyphosis), 2. normal posture (small cervical and lumbar lordosis and kyphosis), 3. hyperlordotic (large lumbar lordosis, small cervical lordosis), 4. flat back.

Frequency represented in the Czech population:

Category	Together	Males	Females
1	16%	15%	16%
2	57%	58%	56%
3	19%	18%	20%
4	8%	9%	8%

Scoliotic body posture

The scoliotic body posture is evaluated from the dorsal view of the torso. We compare the spinal curvature with an imaginary line leading through body axis. In the first phase of the evaluation, we try to determine if the proband’s body posture exhibits scoliotic posture or not. Then we try to determine the extent of the scoliosis. This trait has three developmental degrees: 1. absence of scoliosis, 2. slight (up to 10°), 3. strong scoliosis (above 10°).

Frequency represented in the Czech population:

Category	Together	Males	Females
1	95%	94%	96%
2	4%	5%	3%
3	1%	1%	1%

Prominence of scapulae

The prominence of the scapulae is evaluated from the dorsal view of the lower back of the torso. The degree of trait development is determined on the basis of the scapula bone prominence above the surrounding tissue. Three developmental degrees are used in case of the prominence of the scapulae: 1. protruding scapulae, 2. medium, 3. distinctive scapulae.

Frequency represented in the Czech population:

Category	Together	Males	Females
1	20%	25%	15%
2	54%	55%	53%
3	26%	20%	32%

Position of the scapulae

The position of the scapulae is evaluated from the dorsal view of the upper back of a human torso. In accordance with Fetter (1967), this trait is divided into three categories by their degree of development, in accordance with the position of medial borders of scapulae and spine: 1. oblique position, 2. medium position, 3. parallel to the spine.

Frequency represented in the Czech population:

Category	Together	Males	Females
1	12%	16%	7%
2	29%	29%	28%
3	31%	34%	29%
X	28%	21%	36%

Visibility of the spinal profile

The visibility of the spinal profile is evaluated from the dorsal view of a human torso along the entire length of the spine from the cranial border of the scapulas to the 5th lumbar vertebra. The trait is divided into three categories in accordance with the level of its development: 1. very distinctive, 2. moderate 3. indistinct.

Frequency represented in the Czech population:

Category	Together	Males	Females
1	26%	27%	25%
2	54%	53%	55%
3	17%	20%	14%
4	3%	-	6%

Back shape

The back shape is evaluated from the dorsal view of a human torso. The trait is divided into five categories: 1. V-type (the back expansing in the upward direction), 2. rectangular type (the back of identical width along its entire length), 3. hourglass type (the back narrowed in its central part), 4. A-type (expanding in the downward direction), 5. barrel type (the back with an expanded central part).

Frequency represented in the Czech population: