A measure of the shape of the hard palate, consisting of the ratio of its breadth to its length; compare slightly earlier palatine index; compare also "uranic index".
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute.
Definition of palatal index in US English:
palatal index
noun
Anatomy Anthropology
A measure of the shape of the hard palate, consisting of the ratio of its breadth to its length; compare slightly earlier palatine index; compare also "uranic index".
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute.