Assessment of indices used for sexual dimorphism of skull
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Skull is the preferred bone for identification of sex of the deceased as it resists decomposition, mutilation and fire. Cranial Index, Nasal Index and Orbital Index are commonly used for sexual dimorphism of skull. Previous studies present large variations in these indices due to genetic and environmental factors, racial and ethnic differences, different measurement methods and sample size. To know the reliability of these indices for sexual dimorphism of the skull, the present study was conducted. Materials and Method: The study was performed on 98 adult Indian skulls consisting of 60 male and 38 female skulls of known age and sex. Parameters measured were Cranial Index (CI), Nasal Index (NI) and Orbital Index (OI) which were expressed in descriptive statistics i.e. mean, range and standard deviation. For all the three indices, ‘identification points’ and ‘demarking points’ were calculated and then percentage of skulls identified by these points were recorded. Results were compared with available literature. Results- In the present study, mean CI in male and female skulls was 74.68±4.21 and 77.12±4.92 respectively while their NI was 50.76±5.61 and 56.86±6.65 respectively. In male skulls the mean OI was 87.47±8.09, while it was 87.88±5.55 in female skulls. The identification points and demarking points were calculated for all these three indices. Using identification points of CI and NI, 5% to 33% skulls were identified correctly as male or female. However, no sex could be determined from demarking points of three indices. Conclusion: None of the three indices namely CI, NI or OI were promising individually in identifying sex as a very low percentage of skulls could be identified. The study concludes that the reliability of these three cranial indices is doubtful in sexual dimorphism of the skull.
Authors and Affiliations
Anant Dattatray Dhanwate, Dope Santoshkumar Ankushrao
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP294136
- DOI 10.18231/2394-2126.2017.0060
- Views 66
- Downloads 0
A study of students’ perception about e-learning
Introduction elearning is a relatively new phenomenon where currently the educators and students are grappling with the idea of its implementation and adaptation With the speedy development of ICT and relative exposure o...
Impact of medium of instruction during school education on the academic performance of medical students: An observational study
Introduction Many of the students admitted in Indian medical colleges have had school education in vernacular medium There exists a general opinion that such students find it difficult to cope up with medical academics i...
Estimation of Prolactin Level in Women with Carcinoma Breast
In recent times the incidence of tumors of breast is quite alarming all over the world. In 2012, nearly 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer is reported worldwide. The occurrence of breast tumors is considered to be du...
Effect of isometric handgrip test on heart rate variability in primary open angle glaucoma
Introduction: Open angle glaucoma is a chronic, slowly progressive optic neuropathy characterised by progressive visual field loss. At systemic level; hypertension, hypotension leading to reduced ocular blood flow (OBF),...
Study of mullerian duct anomalies using magnetic resonance imaging technique in a tertiary care hospital of Assam
Background: Mullerian duct anomalies (MDA) consist of a set of structural malformations resulting from abnormal development of the paramesonephric or Mullerian ducts. Mullerian duct is the embryonic structure that develo...