Human physical appearance

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The human body

Human physical appearance refers to the outward phenotype or look of human beings. There are infinite variations in human phenotypes, though society reduces the variability to distinct categories. Physical appearance of humans, in particular those attributes which are regarded as important for physical attractiveness, are believed by anthropologists[citation needed] to significantly affect the development of personality and social relations. Humans are acutely sensitive to their physical appearance, some[who?] theorize for reasons of evolution. Some differences in human appearance are genetic, others are the result of age, lifestyle or disease, and many are the result of personal adornment.

Some people[who?] have traditionally linked some differences in that personal appearance such as skeletal shape with ethnicity, such as prognathism or elongated stride. Different cultures place different degrees of emphasis on physical appearance and its importance to social status and other phenomena.

Factors affecting physical appearance[edit]

Various factors are considered relevant in relation to the physical appearance of humans.

Physiological differences[edit]

Long-term physiological changes[edit]

Short-term physiological changes[edit]

Clothing, personal effects, and intentional body modifications[edit]

Other functional objects, temporarily attached to the body[edit]

See also[edit]