Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Pat Hines on 20/11/2008 15:00:40

Title: Why are the two halves of the face not symmetrical?
Post by: Pat Hines on 20/11/2008 15:00:40
Pat Hines  asked the Naked Scientists:

Hello
 
I enjoy your podcast (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) and have a curious question.
 
The two halves of our face are slightly different in appearance and do not match, is this have anything to do with how long we lay on our side sleeping?

Cheers

Len Hines
St. Louis

What do you think?
Title: Why are the two halves of the face not symmetrical?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 20/11/2008 23:36:57
Human beings are not built from a precise set of plans like an engine or a computer.  Most of the information is instructions on how to build a working cell then there are a few instructions on how to vary this basic pattern to build different sorts of cells then there are a few extra instructions on how these cells should be arranged to build a vertebrate animal finally there are a few extra instructions on how to adjust this basic pattern to build a human being.  The instructions are also interpreted locally when they are needed so although  there is an overall symmetry there are slight differences locally for all sorts of reasons.

There are very much more radical differences in people between routes of even major nerves and blood vessels and surgeons have to be very careful to check things out as they perform operations.
Title: Why are the two halves of the face not symmetrical?
Post by: AB Hammer on 22/11/2008 01:05:08
LOL I thought it was because our moms smacked us on the same side of the face, when we where told to shut up.  [:o)]
Title: Why are the two halves of the face not symmetrical?
Post by: Alan McDougall on 22/11/2008 08:26:20
Pat

It is a lucky thing that most faces are slightly asymmetrical. The asymmetrical gives us our uniqueness and character

A completely symmetrical face can be beautiful but bland and even robot like

Anyway that is my opinion

Alan

Database Error

Please try again. If you come back to this error screen, report the error to an administrator.
Back