We aimed to describe facial directional asymmetry (DA) in individuals with different manifestations of laterality. Due to the overlap between brain and face development, a relationship between the manifestation of brain laterality and DA is hypothesised. These findings could clarify the relationship between the brain and facial phenotype and help to plan facial or oral motor rehabilitation. The DA of 163 healthy individuals was assessed by two complementary 3D methods: landmark and polygonal surface analysis using colour-coded maps. Handedness was assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, while chewing side and eye preferences were self-reported. The results showed a similar DA pattern regardless of sex and laterality (the right-sided protrusion of the forehead, nose, lips, and chin) and a slightly curved C-shape of the midline in landmark analysis. A relationship between lateralized behaviours and DA was found only in males, in females the DA pattern was more homogenous. Right-handed individuals and right-side chewers showed a protrusion of the right hemiface. Males, left-handed and left-side chewers, manifested a protrusion of the left lateral hemiface. We suggest that these specific differences in males may be due to their typically higher level of brain asymmetry. No apparent relationship was found between eyedness and DA.

Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové Charles University Šimkova 870 500 03 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Department of Biology and Medical Genetics 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Motol University Hospital 5 Úvalu 84 150 06 Prague 5 Czech Republic

Department of Histology and Embryology 3rd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Ruská 2411 100 00 Prague 10 Czech Republic

Department of Plastic Surgery 1st Faculty of Medicine and Bulovka Hospital Charles University Kateřinská 32 121 08 Prague 2 Czech Republic

Esthé Clinic Na Příkopě 17 110 00 Prague Czech Republic

Laboratory of 3D Imaging and Analytical Methods Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics Faculty of Science Charles University Viničná 7 128 00 Prague 2 Czech Republic

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