[Metoposcopy]

Abstract

From the oracle of Delphi to magnetic resonance imaging, the anatomist's dissecting gaze has always been accompanied by a connective reading, nourishing subjectivity. The face offered to view has thus been the subject since Aristotle (and probably before without any written record of it being kept) of multiple interpretations, becoming a standard throughout the ages. A whole vocabulary emanates from it: metoposcopy, prosopology, physiognomony, phrenology, organology, morphopsychology, amphibology… which punctuated the beyond of the gaze. It is this story, focused on the frontal region, which will be mentioned, with the excesses it may have caused. Invitation to educate the surgical perspective.

Keywords: Forehead; Front; Metoposcopy; Métoposcopie; Phrenology; Phrénologie; Physiognomonie; Physiognomony.