cephalic index

American  

noun

1. Cephalometry, Craniometry. the ratio of the greatest breadth of the head to its greatest length from front to back, multiplied by 100.

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cephalic index British  

noun

1. the ratio of the greatest width of the human head to its greatest length, multiplied by 100

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Etymology

Origin of cephalic index

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The cephalic index of 61 living subjects and 84 crania, principally from Canton, he finds to be—Living 81.2; crania 78.2.

From The Tinguian Social, Religious, and Economic Life of a Philippine Tribe by Cole, Fay-Cooper

Great interest attaches also to the relative proportions of the different dimensions of the head and especially to the cephalic index obtained by multiplying the maximum breadth by 100 and dividing by the maximum length.

From Negritos of Zambales by Reed, William Allan

HEAD-FORM: The cephalic index forms a gradual series, the median being 83, and therefore shows brachycephaly.

From The Pagan Tribes of Borneo by Haddon, Alfred C. (Alfred Cort)

It will be noticed that my figures show a somewhat higher average stature, but that my average cephalic index is the same.

From The Mafulu Mountain People of British New Guinea by Williamson, Robert Wood

The average cephalic index is about 78 to 79, extremes ranging from 74 to 84.

From Man, Past and Present by Haddon, Alfred Court