Understanding sexual dimorphism is very important in studies of human evolution and skeletal biology. The ability to determine sex from unknown skeletal remains is vital and methods to do this on the various bones of the human skeleton have been researched extensively especially in the studies related to forensic anthropology. The distinctive morphology and clear sexual dimorphism of the hip bone makes it an ideal bone for sex determination. Whereas the roles of the parameters of its posterior border (including the greater sciatic notch) are well established, those of the anterior border are not much explored. The present study was designed to establish the morphometric pattern of the anterior border of the hip bone and its role in sexual dimorphism. Material for the current investigation comprised 100 hip bones belonging to 50 cadavers ([M:F = 80:20] and [R:L = 50:50]) obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India. Sixteen parameters of the anterior border were taken and three indices were calculated. Eight parameters were significantly greater in males: (i) straight distance anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)-symphyseal surface (SS); (ii) straight distance ASIS-pubic tubercle (PT); (iii) straight distance anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)-SS; (iv) straight distance AIIS-PT; (v) arch of anterior interspinous notch (ASIS-AIIS); (vi) arch between AIIS and ilio-pubic (IP); (vii) depth of notch between AIIS and IP; (viii) arch of anterior border (ASIS-SS). The results of the present study could be helpful in pronouncing an opinion, for a single specimen, about its origin in general terms or sex.

The present study was conducted on three hundred and thirty-six cases brought for autopsy to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India, during the period 2000-2002. Pubic bones of either sex were analysed according to Todd's method (1920; 1921a,b,c) as modified by McKern and Stewart (1957) to assess and compare the known age of the corpses. Cases belonged to both sexes, i.e. 79.46% males and 20.54% females. All the cases were above the age of 17 years. No difference was noted in the scoring of right and left pubic bones. The age estimation from different components in males and females up to the total score of 10 (23-28 years) was +/- 6, whereas above a score of 10 the estimated age was +/- 12 in males and +/- 9 in females. The age range given for scores of 14 and 15, which were 29+ and 36+ respectively, did not account for variability of age after 40 years. Therefore, the age assessment from pubic bones in the fourth decade age group and beyond is not reliable which is in variance to the study by McKern and Stewart (1957).

The anatomical variations of the brachial plexus in humans have clinical significance for surgeons, radiologists, and anatomists. In a study of 60 brachial plexuses, four trunked brachial plexuses were encountered in three limbs (two female and one male), all of them being post fixed and on left side of cadavers. The third trunk in all these limbs gave rise to two anterior divisions (upper and lower) and one posterior division. In two limbs belonging to the female sex, the upper anterior division joined with the anterior division of the second trunk to form the lateral cord while its lower anterior division joined with the anterior division of the fourth trunk to form the medial cord. In the sole male limb, along with the third trunk, the fourth trunk also divided into upper and lower anterior divisions. Upper anterior divisions of the third and fourth trunks joined to form the medial root of the median nerve while lower anterior divisions joined to form the ulnar nerve. No medial cord was formed as such. Further, it is inferred that in postfixed brachial plexus, there is a tendency to failure on part of T1 and T2 to join C8 which continues as the third trunk while T1 and T2 continue as the fourth trunk. Since it was seen in all postfixed brachial plexuses of the present study, it is emphasized to be given a place in the textbooks of anatomy or to conduct a study on a larger database.

Background: Identification of sexing human skeletal remains is an important component and frequently the starting point of many forensic anthropological investigations. Skeletal biologists had recognized that each population group requires its own specific standards for accurate determination of sex. The pelvis is probably the most accurate bone from which sex can be determined. The subpubic angles show more definitive sex difference indicating the presence of interpopulation variations.

The distinctive morphology and sexual dimorphism of the human hip bone makes it of interest from the anatomical, anthropological and forensic points of view. The shape of the greater sciatic notch has attracted great attention in the past. In the current investigation, an attempt has been made to find the baseline data of various parameters pertaining to the greater sciatic notch of 100 hip bones of known sex (male:female = 80:20) and side (right:left = 50:50), obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India, during the period 2007-2009. Seven parameters of the notch, viz. width, depth, posterior segment width, total angle, posterior segment angle, index I and index II of the greater sciatic notch were studied. The results thus obtained were compiled, tabulated, statistically analysed and were compared with the accessible literature. Out of all the parameters studied, width of the notch, posterior segment width, total angle, posterior segment angle and index II of notch were found to be significantly greater in women as compared with men. Thus the greater sciatic notch can serve as a reliable sex indicator even when the complete hip bone has not been well preserved.