The mandibular notch is located on the superior margin, between two prominent processes of the mandibular ramus, the coronoid and condylar processes. The mandibular notch permits the entry of the masseteric artery, vein and nerve to the deep surface the masseteric muscle. Literary reports documented variations in both, the shape and size of the mandibular notch. Therefore, this study aimed to document the morphology and morphometry of the mandibular notch in the South African Black and Indian population groups and to determine their relationship to sex, age and race (if any). The morphometric and morphological parameters of the mandibular notch were measured and assessed in 149 digital panoramic radiographs and 51 dry mandible specimens (n=400) belonging to the South African Black African and Indian population groups. A combination of classification schemes by Mohammad et al. (2012) and Shakya et al. (2013) were adopted to assess the morphology of the mandibular notch. The morphometric parameter was measured using the Dicom x-ray viewer and a digital vernier caliper. Each of the morphometric and morphological parameters were statistically analyzed using SPSS, to determine if a relationship existed between the afore-mentioned parameters and sex, age and race. This study recorded the round shaped mandibular notch to be the most prevalent type in both sexes with a combined incidence of 44.2 %. The length of the mandibular notch was reported to be greater in males than females and concurred with previous studies. However, the selected South African group displayed a smaller mandibular notch than the Japanese and Chinese population groups. Furthermore, this study documented population differences among the South African population group, as the Black African population group showed a wider mandibular notch than the Indian population group. This suggests that population-specific differences may exist for both the morphological and morphometric parameters of the mandibular notch. However, only a statistically significant relationship between the length of the mandibular notch with age and race was documented. The mandibular notch may be of clinical significance to maxillofacial surgeons for surgical and reconstructive procedures, in addition it may also aid forensic anthropologists in the identification of unknown remains.

Background: The identification of an individual from skeletal remains plays a vital role in forensic investigation as it is essential for the identification of the individual (Folia Morphol 2017; 76, 1: 82-86)

SUMMARY:The jugular foramina (JF) are bilateral openings situated between the lateral part of the occipital bone and the petrous part of the temporal bones in the human skull. It is a bony canal transmitting neurovascular structures from the posterior cranial fossa through the base of the skull to the carotid space. Since the JF depicts variations in shape, size, height and volume between different racial and gender groups, along with distinctive differences in laterality from its intracranial to extracranial openings, knowledge of the JF may be necessary to understand intracranial pathologies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphometric measurements of the jugular foramen. Various morphometric parameters of the JF and its relation to surrounding structures were measured and assessed in 73 dry skull specimens (n=146). Each of the morphometric parameters measured were statistically analyse using SPSS to determine the existence of a possible relationship between the parameters and sex, race, age and laterality. The comparisons of sex and age with the distance between the JF and lateral pterygoid plate and distance between the JF and foramen magnum yielded statistically significant p values of 0.0049 and 0.036, respectively. The results of this study correlated with that of previous studies indicating that measurements regarding the JF are greater on the right side. The provision of morphometric data pertaining to the JF and surrounding structures may assist surgeons and clinicians during operative procedures.

SUMMARY: Recent studies have regarded the fibula flap as the benchmark for the reconstruction and treatment of compound wounds and lesions. Owing to its postero-lateral location within the leg, the application of the fibula flap is deemed aesthetically advantageous as the donor scar can be easily hidden. Since the fibula is anatomically characterized by a shaft and two extremities, this study aimed to investigate the nutrient foramen morphology and the relative fibular osteometry. Osteometric and morphological evaluation of 104 dry human fibulae, representing male and female individuals of the Black and Caucasian population groups that are native to South Africa, were conducted (Age range: 15 -81 years old). The presence of single, double and six nutrient foramina were noted. A total of fifteen different locations of the nutrient foramen relative to the fibular surfaces, margins and component parts were identified. In addition to several other osteometric parameters, the mean fibular length (mm) and diameter of the nutrient foramina (mm) were [(male: 374.85±2.01; female: 345.49±1.86) (Black: 363.60±2.38; Caucasian: 380.42±3.01)] and [(male: 1.00±0.34; female: 0.96±0.42) (Black: 0.98±0.37; Caucasian: 1.11±0.27)], respectively. In light of the lack of osteometric data regarding destabilization and subsequent reconstruction of the talocrural joint, the relative sides and angles of the irregular triangular talar facet were quantified. Due to the correlation of the respective fibular parameters with age, sex and races, the focus of this study was extensive in comparison to previous studies. The recorded statistically significant differences for age, sex and race may suggest a South African standardization of those demographic factors with the relevant fibular parameters. Furthermore, the location of nutrient foramina within the fibular shaft may assist with the mapping and development of simple classification schemes for the harvesting of fibular grafts.

PILLAY, S.; ISHWARKUMAR, S.; DE GAMA, B. Z. & PILLAY, P.The morphometry of the angle of mandible and its correlation with age and sex in the eThekwini metropolitan region: A panoramic study. Int. J. Morphol., 35(2):661-666, 2017. SUMMARY:The angle of mandible is formed by the tangent line joining the posterior margin of the ramus and the base of the mandible. The angle of mandible has population-specific characteristics therefore; it is imperative to the field of forensic anthropology for age and sex determination. Literary reports regarding the use of the angle of mandible for age and sex determination vary, as some studies support it, while other studies have documented inefficiencies. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to document the morphometry of the angle of mandible and to determine if a correlation between the angle of mandible, age and sex exists. Sixty four digital panoramic radiographs (n=128) of individuals between 16-30 years were morphometrically analysed using the Dicom Digital Imaging Software. The data was captured and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23.0). Despite females having a greater angle of mandible than males, no statistically significant correlation was found between the size of the angle of mandible and sex (p=0.088). The angle of mandible was observed to decrease with advancement of age, however only the 16-19 year age cohort displayed a statistically significant correlation with the size of the angle of mandible (p=0.006). Therefore, this study concluded that the angle of mandible may not be a useful indicator of sex, but may be a reliable indicator of age for individuals between 16-19 years in the eThekwini Metropolitan region.