Student Question
What are the characteristic physical features of Negroid people?
Quick answer:
In physical anthropology, the term "Negroid" refers to certain physical features, though it can be considered offensive. These features include straighter femurs, flaring nasal openings, absence of a nasal sill, more pronounced jaw protrusion (prognathism), rectangular eye orbits, and larger teeth. It's important to approach such classifications with sensitivity due to their historical use in racial stereotyping and the evolving understanding of human diversity.
First of all, we should note that this term can be considered offensive and can only be used in physical anthropology.
There are a number of traits that are said to typify negroid people. Among them are such things as femurs that are straighter than those of other races as well as flaring nasal openings in the skull. They also lack a "nasal sill." Negroids are also said to have jaws that protrude more than those of other races (this is called prognathism). They have more rectangular eye orbits and larger teeth.
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