somatometry; the measurement of the body 163 



Measurements Obtained By Calculation From Other Measurements 



(1) Trunk length 



It is very important to determine upon the best of the many possible 

 trunk-lengths and use it exclusively and universally, since especially 

 it is of great importance in all comparisons with the limbs, but unfor- 

 tunately there are many possible trunk-lengths, and each may have 

 certain advantages, such as greater availability, or a better value for 

 comparison. The many possible limits to be set to this length, each one 

 with some following, are the following :• — ■ 



Upper limit Lower limit 



Tragus Lumbale 



Subnasale Symphysion 



Inion Sciatic tuber 



Cervicale End of coccyx 

 Suprasternale 



For the upper limit the tragus and subnasale, in a standing figure with 

 eyes forward are either of them in about the plane of the upper face of 

 the atlas, and thus give the upper limit of the vertebral column. The 

 inion is a bit higher, but is easy to locate (meaning here the occipital 

 protuberance). The two others, cervicale and suprasternale, are used 

 as the upper limit when the trunk alone is desired, counting off the cer- 

 vical region, as is often done. In the case of the lower limit neither 

 symphysion nor lumbale give the full value to the physiological trunk, 

 since they omit the lower part of the pelvic girdle. This latter is, mor- 

 phologically a part of the appendage, and thus shows certain arguments in 

 favor of the omission. Viewed physiologically, however, the girdle is a 

 part of the trunk, and thus should be included down to the plane of the 

 sciatic tuber or the end of the coccyx. At present this view prevails, 

 and the choice rests much in favor of the first. To use the plane of the 

 sciatic tuber for the lower limit of the trunk it is simply necessary to seat 

 the subject upon a table in the manner recommended above, with the 

 feet supported rather high, so that no aid can be furnished from the dorsal 

 muscles of hip or thigh, and then take the height from the table of any 

 of the upper limits decided upon. Thus, selecting the suprasternale, as 

 here recommended if the neck is not to be included, the height of this 

 landmark in the seated subject is also the trunk-length. Should one wish 

 to include the neck, use the tragus height. 



(2) Arm length 



Length of entire arm and By direct measurement, By projection, by sub- 

 hand from acromion to dactyl- tracting ht. of dactylion 



ion; arm either extended from ht. acromion. 



horizontally or hanging 



pendulous; hand in either 



case extended so far as 



possible. 



