Sex determination using mastoid process measurements of dry skull bone: A Descriptive Analysis
Abstract
Study on human skeletal for sex determination has been a topic of interest among researchers. It appears to be the main reliable bone exhibiting sexually dimorphic traits, specially the mastoid region. Present study aims to determine the difference in mastoid morphometry between male and female bone for sex differentiation.
Material and methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted at Department of Anatomy, SMS Medical College, Jaipur between April- December 2014. Forty dry macerated adult Human skulls of age group above 18-25 yrs of known sex were included in which suture between the basiocciput and basisphenoid were united. Vernier Caliper was used for measurements of Mastoid process in Frankfurt’s Plane.
Results: Mastoid length was significantly larger in males as compared to females on both sides (p value <0.05). Cut-off of right mastoid length of 32.39mm and left Mastoid length of 31.71mm were highly accurate in differentiating male and female skull.
Conclusion: The parameters like mastoid process length can be used as predictors to determine gender and could be of immense use in forensic medicine and anthropology and will also serve as a future framework for estimating the craniofacial dimensions of other Indian population.
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Introduction
Study on human skeletal remains for sex determination has been a topic of interest among researchers. Skeletal remains have been used for sexing the individual as bones of the body are last to perish after death, next to enamel of teeth. Almost all bones of the human skeleton show some degree of sexual dimorphism.
Often fragmentary remains are available, instead of, complete skeletons for forensic identification. In the skull, the temporal bone is highly resistant to physical damage; thus it is commonly found as remainder in skeletons that are very old; of this, the petrous portion has been described as important for sex determination. Moreover, in case of burning, petrous part of temporal bone is generally preserved because of its compact structure and protected position at the base of skull1,2
Sex is best assessed from the pelvis but it is very often damaged3 . Skull requires the most frequent sexing in medico legal cases. It appears to be the main reliable bone exhibiting sexually dimorphic traits, because skull has a high resistance to adverse environmental conditions over time, resulting in the greater stability of dimorphic features as compared to other skeletal bony pieces4 .
Conclusion
Sex could be determined very well from the cranium using Anthropometry. Parameters like mastoid process length can be used as predictors to determine gender. Gender differences in cranial morphology emphasize the significance of applying data to an individual subject in a given population. Such knowledge is not only applicable to forensic scientists but also in plastic surgery and oral surgery with craniofacial deformity.
The result of this study will be of immense use in forensic medicine and anthropology and will also serve as a future framework for estimating the craniofacial dimensions of other Indian population.