What Determines Nose Shape? Scientists Know The Answer

What factors determine the size and shape of the nose is one of the biggest questions that the researchers from around the world are trying to find an answer to. Now, a team of researchers from the University College London has identified four genes that influence the characteristics of the human nose.

According to researchers, these genes influence the pointiness and the width of the nose. During the study, the researchers found that each of these nose, dubbed PAX1, DCH2, GLI3 and RUNX2, plays a role in shaping an individual's nose.

To arrive at the conclusion, the research team looked at the 3D reconstructions of facial features of approximately 6,000 people from five different countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Columbia and Peru. All of the participants were a part of the CANDELA study, which was organized to examine the biological diversity among people that inhabit Latin America.

After studying the facial features of the participants, the researchers compared the output with the genetic makeup of each individual. A comparison between facial features and genes enabled researchers to identify the key genes that affect the pointiness and the shape of the nose.

The study was based on a number of researches conducted in the past that determined what factors makes the nose and face appear like they do. A study conducted in 2011 linked climatic variation in terms of temperature and moisture to the shape of the nose.

People that inhibit colder regions were found to possess narrower nasal passages. The researchers figured out that this feature provides a greater contact between the nasal mucosal tissue and the air, thus making it warmer and humidified during the extended process.

The complete details of the study have been published in the journal Nature Communications.