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.

Background: Metopic suture also known as the frontal, interfrontal, or median frontal suture is formed in the midline at the meeting of the two halves of the frontal bone. Normally it gets obliterated by early childhood, but in some cases, it persists and is described as metopism. This study is aimed at investigating metopism prevalence in dry Nigerian skull.  Methods: This study was conducted on ninety-six (65 males and 31 females) adult Nigerian dry skulls from 5 selected Universities in the Southern part of Nigeria. Metopic suture (metopism) was considered to be complete when it continued uninterruptedly from the nasion to the bregma and incomplete when it was not present over its entire length. The incomplete metopic sutures were further classified into shapes. Results: Metopism was observed in 31 skulls (32.3%) of which 22 (21.9%) were males and 9 (9.4%) were females. Complete metopic suture was found in only 1 skull (1.04%) and incomplete metopic suture was seen in 30 skulls (31.25%). Among the incomplete ones, linear shape metopic suture was the most common in 16 skulls (16.67%). 7 (7.29%) were V-shaped metopic suture and another 7 (7.29%) were double-type metopic suture. Prevelence of metopic suture was slightly higher in males than in females. However, there was no statistical level of association with respect to sexual dimorphism. Conclusion: The prevalence and morphometry of metopism in the 96 adult Nigerian skulls studied, revealed complete metopism to be 1.04% with a length of 127.0mm as against incomplete metopism of 31.25% making a total prevalence of 32.29%. The prevalence of metopic suture was slightly higher in males than in females with the linear metopic suture occurring the most. Sexual dimorphism with respect to incomplete metopism types and shapes revealed no association This study is important for radiologists and neurosurgeons in diagnosis of frontal bone fractures and during surgical intervention including frontal craniotomy.

Background: Understanding the dimensions of the structural configuration of human skeleton is requisite in anthropologic and forensic anatomy, radiologic anatomy and orthopaedics. Aim: This study presents a new method of using photogrammetry to obtain and analyse data of the morphometric parameters of the neck, proximal shaft (intertrochanteric or epiphyses area) of the proximal aspect of the cadaveric femur. Methodology: A total of 127 dry human femur bones studied and analysed critically using photogrammetry. The following parameters were calculated for each femur: femoral neck shaft angle (FNSA), femoral neck intertrochanteric angle (FNIA), femoral shaft intertrochanteric angle (FSIA), and the area of femoral intertrochanteric triangle (FITAREA). Results: The mean gotten for measured parameters are FNSA=132.91, FNIA=96.50, FSIA=35.93, FITAREA = 59.38mm2. Statistical analysis of the obtained data showed no significant (p<0.01) differences in all measured parameters between right and left sides. From the outcome of this study, highly significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between FNSA and FSIA, and FSIA and FNIA was observed. Conclusion: We conclude that dynamic and robust understanding of the geometry and strength of the proximal end of the os femora requires parameters that conform to anatomical facts between the head, neck and proximal shaft of the os femora. This advocate how useful the FNIA and FSIA would be when used together with the FNSA in prognosis and managing proximal femoral fractures as it defines the geometric relation between the neck, intertrochanteric area (proximal epiphyseal area) and the shaft of femur. FITAREA which depicts the strength of the femoral epiphyseal or intertrochanteric area would also be useful in this regard.  We recommend the possible use of the parameters measured in this study to improve prediction and management of proximal femoral fractures as they better elucidate an understanding of the morphology and strength of the proximal extremity of the os femora.