Which area of the head is determined by placing a comb flat against the side?

The parietal ridge is identified when a comb is placed flat against the side of the head. This ridge corresponds to the bony structures of the skull and marks the transition between the top and side sections of the head. By placing the comb in this position, you can visually and physically locate the area where the contour changes, and this is particularly crucial during haircutting as it helps in determining the desired shape and balance of the hairstyle.

In the context of the other options, the occipital ridge refers to the bone at the back of the skull and is not identifiable with a comb placed flat against the side. The temporal ridge is located above the ears and is a different point altogether on the head. Lastly, reference points are general markers used for various techniques in cutting and shaping hair but do not specifically denote a region defined by the comb’s position against the head. Understanding the significance of the parietal ridge allows stylists to create balanced and proportional hairstyles effectively.