MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE FORAMEN MAGNUM DIMENSIONS AND ITS RELATION TO GENDER
Keywords:
Foramen Magnum, Morphometric parameters, DimorphismAbstract
Introduction: The sex determination of human skeletons is important in forensic and anthropological research. It can be carried out through qualitative or quantitative analysis of morphological parameters of dimorphism. The base of the cranium is very complex in itself making the study of the diameters of foramen magnum even more important from a descriptive or topographic point of view. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the linear morphometric parameters and the area of foramen magnum for gender determination in human skulls. Material and Method: A total of 100 skulls (50 male and 50 female) were analyzed for their sagittal and transverse diameters, with the help of sliding vernier caliper (0.01) mm. The total area and the linear morphometric data thus obtained were analyzed and put to statistical analysis using students ‘t’ test. Results: The transverse diameter and the area of the foramen magnum were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05), in the male skulls (29.03 ± 2.524 mm & 813 ± 114.7 mm2 respectively) than in the female skulls (27.87 ± 3.16 mm & 752.0 ± 158.2 mm2 respectively). Conclusion: The transverse diameter and the area of the foramen magnum were found to be significantly higher in male than female skulls and thus can be used in conjunction with other anthropological techniques for gender determination of unknown skulls.
References
1. Iscan, MY. Global forensic anthropology in the 21st century. Forensic Science International. 2001, vol. 117, p. 1-6.
2. Gapert, R., Black, S. and Last, J. Sex determination from the foramen magnum: discriminant function analysis in an eighteenth and nineteenth century British sample. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2008, vol. 123, no. 1, p. 25-33.
3. Manoel, C., Prodo, FB., Caria, PHF. and Groppo, FC. Morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum in human skulls of Brazilian individuals: its relation to gender. Braz. J. Morphol. Sci., 2009, vol. 26, no. 2, p. 104-108.
4. Catalina-Herrera, C.J. Study of the anatomic metric values of the foramen magnum and its relation to sex. Acta Anat. (Basel), 1987; 130 (4): 344-7.
5. Gunay, Y. and Altinkok, M. The value of the size of foramen magnum in sex determination. Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine. 2000, vol. 7, p. 147-149.
6. Uysal, S.; Gokharman, D.; Kacar, M.; Tuncbilek, I. & Kosa, U. Estimation of sex by 3D CT measurements of the foramen magnum. J. Forensic Sci.; 2005, 50 (6): 1310-4.
7. Murshed, KA., Cicekcibasi, AE. And Tuncer, I. Morphometric evaluation of the foramen magnum and variations in its shape: a study on computerized tomographic images of normal adults. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences. 2003, vol. 33, p. 3.1-3.6.
8. Herrera, CJC. Study of the anatomic metric values of the foramen magnum and its relation to sex. Acta Anatomica. 1987, vol. 130, p. 344-347.
9. Routal, RR., Pal, GP., Bhagwat, SS. Et al. Metrical studies with sexual dimorphism in foramen magnum of human crania. Journal of the Anatomical Society of India. 1984, vol. 2, no. 33, p. 85-89.n
10. Wanebo JE, Chicoine MR. Quantitative analysis of the transcondylar approach to the foramen magnum. Neurosurgery; 2001, 49: 934-41.
11. Enlow, DH. And Hans, MG. Nocoes basicas sobre crescimento facial. Editora Santos, 2006. Available from: < http://www.relativa.com.br/livros>.
