Cephalic index is an important parameter useful in establishing racial and sexual dimorphism. This study was carried out to determine the cephalic indices of adult Yorubas of age 18 to 40 years. One thousand and twenty (1020) Yoruba adults consisting of 493 males and 527 females were recruited randomly for the study. These were all residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria. The mean cephalic index of Yorubas without reference to gender was 74.39 ± 5.41. Dominant and rare types of head shapes are dolicocephalic (68.33%) and hyperbrachycephalic (5.00%), respectively. The mean cephalic indices were 75.02 ± 4.76 (mesocephalic) in males and 73.75 ± 5.13 (dolicocephalic) in females. We conclude that Yoruba males are mesocephalic while Yoruba females are dolicocephalic. Besides, this study also reveals dolicocephalization tending towards mesocephalization amongst Yorubas. These findings will be very useful in forensic science, physical and medical anthropology, and clinical practice, most especially craniofacial surgery as it presents a characteristic feature of the head configuration for this Nigerian race.

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Morphogenetic traits are physical observable traits that can be inherited either in a single gene or multifactorial pattern. ABO blood group is a codominant inherited trait that has been associated with different anatomical and physiological variations. However, there are limited studies that have linked ABO blood groups with some morphogenetic traits. This study was conducted to ascertain the distribution of morphogenetic traits like hand clasping and tongue rolling among ABO blood groups in a University community in Eastern Nigeria. A total of 115 volunteers participated in the study. The blood groups of the participants were determined and the expression of the morphogenetic traits was gotten by physical observation. Greater proportion of the participants were males (55.65 %), students (61.74 %) and within ages 15−25 (58.26 %). There was a higher prevalence of blood group O (57.39 %), tongue non-rollers (53.04 %) and right hand clasping (74.78 %) among the participants. The participants with blood groups A and O recorded a higher distribution of tongue non-rollers while those with blood groups B and AB recorded an equal number of both tongue roller and non-rollers. The participants with blood groups A, B and O recorded a higher distribution of right hand clasping while those with blood group AB recorded a significant higher distribution of left hand clasping (P<0.05). In conclusion, morphogenetic pattern of tongue rolling could not be associated with ABO blood group, whereas that of left hand clasping was associated with blood group AB suggesting that individuals with blood group AB is likely to exhibit left hand clasping; forming basis for determination of hand clasping using ABO blood group in future advancement of genetics and forensic science

Background: Understanding the morphological differences in the branching  pattern of carotid vessels has played a significant role in successful surgical operations around the neck region. This study aimed at evaluating the morphological variants of the external carotid artery (ECA) in relation to its carotid bifurcation (CB) and its  branches. Methods: After obtaining twenty-five (25) hemi-necks and later dissected, 25 ECAs were examined (13 right and 12 left). The patterning of the superficial branches and CB from common carotid artery were photographed and later analyzed in terms of variations of origin. Results: CB appeared as V-shaped in 24 cases (96%). Superior thyroid artery (STA) originated majorly from both the ECA (40.91%) and from the CB (36.36%).  The percentage distributions of occurrence of arterial branch origins from ECA in both hemi-neck sides are as follows; ascending pharyngeal (85.71%), lingual (84%), facial (88%) and occipital (95%). Conclusion: In adult Nigerian cadavers, the V-shaped carotid bifurcation pattern is more common and the CB was more prevalent at the level of the upper border of thyroid cartilage. Higher numbers of origins were observed more in STA compared to other superficial branches of ECA.

Humans all over the world, though being of the same species (Homo sapiens), differ from each other in some aspects due to differences in the genetic make-up, adaptation to varying environmental conditions or mutation, etc. This research work was carried out to study the variation in the diaphragm position of adult Nigerians using normal PA chest radiographs. A total of 500 samples (298 females and 202 males), obtained from the Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were used. The variation in the diaphragm position was measured relative to the following anatomic landmarks; thoracic vertebra, crossing rib and lung height. For descriptive analysis SPSS version 24 software package was used, and Z- test to test for significance. This study showed that the variation of diaphragm position in adult Nigerians was statistically significant (p<0.05) and the diaphragm position of females was higher than males. These findings will be very useful to the cardiothoracic surgeons, radiologist and the clinical anatomist.