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).

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.