Stoltidou A., Dimitrakopoulos I., Pateraki M., Koebke J., Dionyssopoulos A.J., 2011. Anatomical Location of the Modiulus Using A Photogrammetric Computer Program: Its Anthropometric Implications. The Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 19, Supplement A, pp. 49A, Proc.of 16th Congress of the International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 22-27 May, Vancouver, Canada. [pdf, p.49A]
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Modiolus is a special area of the face, appearing as a dense, blunt, cone-shaped structure, mobile and fibromuscular structure. It is reachable by the dissection of buccolabial musculature. It extends vertically from the buccal mucosa to the dermis of the skin. The muscles associated with the Modiolus form the nasolabial fold, thus explaining why atrophic Modiolus prevents the appearance of facial aging.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of a series of 51 adult formalin fixed human cadavers. The skin and the thin subcutaneous fascia and fat were removed. As Modiolus is not a clearly defined anatomical area, we used the follows craniofacial landmarks:
a) Cheilion: to identify the medial wall of the Modiolus; it is the point located at each angle of the labial commisure. Then we measured the distances between Chelion and others firm, craniofacial landmarks on the same half-face (on both sides), like
b) Glabella,
c) Nasion,
d) Orbitale,
e) Tragion,
f) Subnasale,
g) Pogonion,
h) Gnathion,
i) Gonion.
RESULTS: We measured these distances using the low cost photometric software i-Witness. From the photogrammetric processing of 51 image datasets of cadavers, we defined the position of Cheilion from each side of the face. Detailed measurements were made and the exact location of the Modiolus was defined.
CONCLUSION: Using the photogrammometric software i-Witness we could define the Modiulus location on the face as well as the distances between Cheilion and others firm, craniofacial landmarks.