Dimensions of Foramen Magnum for Estimation of Sex in Nepalese Population

Abstract

Human skull is considered as one of the most reliable bones for sex differentiation. This study is an attempt to estimate sex, using variations in dimensions of Foramen Magnum among the Nepalese population. Most studies on the skull have been carried out in dry skull, using ectocranial measurements. This study on sexual dimorphism in Foramen Magnum of Nepalese population was carried out in wet skull and measurements are taken intracranially by using sliding Vernier’s caliper. A cross-sectional study of 96 medico-legal autopsies (53 males and 43 females) was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, to establish reference standards for sexual dimorphism of dimensions of Foramen Magnum. The mean antero-posterior diameter (APD) was found to be 33.45 mm in males and 30.70 mm in females. The mean transverse diameter (TD) was found to be 27.64 mm in males and 25.19 mm in females. Both APD and TD were found to have statistically significant dimorphism between the sexes. Discriminant function analysis showed that the accuracy ranged between 55.8% and 81.4 % with use of both APD and TD showing the most accurate classification. Binary logistic regression showed that 69.8% were correctly classified as female and 79.2 % were correctly classified as male and 75% on overall population.

Estimation of Stature from Index Finger Length and Sexual Dimorphism in Adult Chakma Males and Females

“…Davangere district, Karnataka, India, Bardale R V et al in Maharashtra population in India. 1,5,7,[14][15][16][17][18] Gender difference in index finger length in this study also showed highly significant (p<0.001) and male index finger length was longer than female index finger length. Balachandran…”

“…Measurement of length of index finger was taken from the tip of the finger to the midpoint of proximal / basal crease of the index finger with the help of sliding caliper 11 . 5,6,7,14,15,16 . Multiplication factor for estimation of stature for right and left index finger for both male and female was different and specific for that finger and tribe and with the multiplication factor, almost accurately the stature of that person of the Chakma adult population which is shown in Table I can be determined.…”

Sex Determination From Foramen Magnum Measurements – An Autopsy Based Study in North Kerala Population

“…(Krogman, 2013) Foramen magnum is an important land mark on base of skull, due to the protection afforded by its location. (Maharjan et al, 2018) Due to the thickness of the cranial base and its relatively protected anatomical position the foramen magnum can withstand both physical insults and inhumation somewhat more successful than many other areas of the cranium. (Ch & SLokanadham, 2013) Even though determination of sex from skull is possible, if skull fragments are the only available pieces of human remains, then the importance of foramen magnum for determination of sex comes into consideration as the occipital bone is well preserved when compared to other skull parts.…”

Kraniyofasiyal boyutlar kullanarak cinsiyet tahmini: Kaduna Eyaleti, Nijerya'da BT tarama görüntüleri çalışması

“…Identification of sex is essential in establishing a victim's biological profile, and the human skeleton has become a central target for many researchers. The presence of complete bone makes things a lot easier 1 for sex identification 1,2 with a percentage accuracy of 98% 3 . However, If the complete skeleton is not available, accuracy depends largely on what bony components are available and if the skeleton can be linked to a specific population 4,5 .…”

“…However, incomplete skeleton/dismembered or fragmented skeleton as well as juvenile skeleton makes it challenging for forensic anthropologists to identify victims. The human pelvis and the skull are the two most sexually dimorphic regions of the human skeleton that tends to withstand inhumation and individually give perfect accuracy of 95% and 90% respectively 3 . Consequently, the skull separately is considered one of the most reliable bones for sex differentiation 6 .…”