Human body types – Ectomorph, Mesomorph, Endomorph
Endomorph, ectomorph
and mesomorph are three hypothetical body types first proposed around the turn
of the century to explain certain aspects of personality.
This system of categorization was established during the 1940's, by William Herbert Sheldon, Jr. (November 19, 1898 - September 17, 1977).
This system of categorization was established during the 1940's, by William Herbert Sheldon, Jr. (November 19, 1898 - September 17, 1977).
Ectomorph
The endomorph's body
is characterized by a round head, a round and large abdomen, large internal
organs, rather short arms and legs with slender wrists and ankles, and a large
proportion of body fat.
Endomorph is a person
characterized by a predominance of structures developed from the endodermal
layer of the embryo. Such a person is inclined to be soft-skinned and fat; some
also ascribe to endomorphs the characteristics of being easy-going and
good-natured.
Mesomorph
The mesomorph has the
body of a classical athlete: a square head, a large heart, broad and muscular
chest and shoulders, arms and legs with powerful muscles, and little body fat.
Ectomorph
The ectomorph's body
is essentially linear in shape: a thin face with a high forehead, a narrow
chest and abdomen, long and thin arms and legs, little muscle, and a minimal
amount of body fat.
These three shapes
rarely occur in their classical forms. Most people can be described as a
combination of two of the three types.