The ratio of the upper and lower body segments can be used to describe a person's bodily proportions.
Anatomic landmark: midportion of the pubic bone
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Segment
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Definition
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upper
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from top of head to the midportion of the pubic bone
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lower
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from the midportion of the pubic bone to the sole of the foot
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total body height =
= (length of the upper body segment) + (length of the lower body segment)
ratio of the upper to lower body segment =
= (length of the upper body segment) / (length of the lower body segment)
Interpretation:
• The ratio is approximately 1.0 at age 10. It is usually > 1 in children and < 1 in adolescents and adults.
• Adult males tend to have longer legs than women, so the ratio in adult males is lower.
• Pituitary dwarfs tend to have a higher ratio because the upper segment is proportionately longer than the lower segment.
Performance:
• The subject should stand perfectly straight with eyes forward. Bending forward can lower the ratio.
