Everything about Epicanthal Fold totally explained
An
epicanthal fold,
epicanthic fold, or
epicanthus is a
skin fold of the upper
eyelid (from the
nose to the inner side of the eyebrow) covering the inner corner (
medial canthus) of the
eye.
The epicanthal fold is sometimes present in people of
East Asian descent including
Mongols, most
Central Asians,
Chinese,
Koreans,
Japanese,
Vietnamese and other ethnic groups of
East Asian and
Southeast Asian origin such as
Indonesians,
Malaysians,
Inuit,
Native Americans and
Khoisans (
Capoids) in
Africa and
Madagascar. Epicanthal folds may also be seen in young children of any race before the bridge of the nose begins to elevate.
The term "epicanthal fold" refers to a visually categorized feature; however the underlying physiological reason and purpose for its presence in any given individual may be entirely different.
In children
All humans initially develop epicanthal folds in the womb. Some children lose them by birth, but epicanthal folds may also be seen in young children of any
ethnicity before the bridge of the
nose begins to elevate. They may persist where birth is pre-term, and sometimes also where the mother is alcoholic.
Epicanthal folds can cause a child's eyes to appear crossed, a scenario known as
pseudostrabismus.
Pathological
In many persons of caucasian background and other groups who don't commonly possess the trait, the presence of the epicanthal fold can be a symptom of
fetal alcohol syndrome, chromosomal disorders such as
Down syndrome (Trisomy 21),,
Cri du Chat syndrome,
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or pre-term birth.
Inherited
There are numerous populations, across the world, that lack an epicanthic fold. However, the epicanthic fold is common in people of many, though not all groups of
East Asian and
Southeast Asian descent. It is found in significant numbers amongst
Native Americans, the
Khoisan (
Capoids) of Southern Africa, many
Central Asians and some people of
Scandinavian,
Hungarian and
Sami origin. It also present on people of
Tibetan descent, especially Tibetans and North-East
Burmese people. Children of a parent with a pronounced epicanthal fold and one without an epicanthal fold may have varying degrees of epicanthal folds.
In Asian ethnicities, the presence of an epicanthic fold is associated with a less prominent upper
eyelid crease, commonly termed "single eyelids" as opposed to "double eyelids". The two features are distinct; a person may have both epicanthal fold and upper eyelid crease, one and not the other, or neither.
Surgical alteration
The procedure of reducing or removing epicanthal folds is
epicanthoplasty. It is now an extremely rare procedure.
Asian blepharoplasty, however, is a popular form of
cosmetic surgery in East Asia.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Epicanthal Fold'.
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