Evaluation of Bilateral Asymmetry in the Humerus of Human Skeletal Specimen

Abstract

Several studies have established a relationship between morphological and behavioral asymmetry making investigations of bilateral bone asymmetry an attractive and important research area. The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral asymmetry patterns of skeletal specimen from five geographical locations (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Kenya, and Uganda) at Galloway Osteological Collection, Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences. The angle of torsion and retroversion, mid-shaft circumference, length, and weight of 232 pairs of humeri were determined. A Torsiometer was used to measure the angle of torsion in degrees according to Krahl and Evans 1945, a tape was used to measure the mid-shaft circumference at the level of the apex of the deltoid V, and the length in cm was determined. An osteometric board was used to measure the length of the humerus in centimeters. A weighing balance was used to measure the weight of the humerus in grams. The analysis of humeral asymmetry with respect to parameters of the human skeletal specimen at the Galloway Osteological Collection Mulago revealed bilateral asymmetrical status observed in the angle of torsion, length, weight, and mid-shaft circumference. Our result mostly showed lateralization to the right in all the parameters investigated except the torsion angle which is to the left. Our investigation revealed that humeral torsion is inversely proportional to weight, length, and mid-shaft circumference of the humerus. This study established the existence of bilateral asymmetries in the humeri of all the geographical regions investigated with more asymmetry observed in the male compared with the female.

Influência da Gordura do Braço sobre Medida Indireta da Pressão Sanguínea: Uma Abordagem Estatística e de Machine Learning

“…Embora comparações das medidas e estimativas antropométricas entre os hemicorpos têm sido objeto de pesquisas recentes, de modo geral, as investigações não incluem medidas de PS nas análises, e seus objetivos estão relacionados à avaliação de treinamento, força e movimento muscular. Todavia, estudos têm mostrado assimetrias entre os braços como maior massa, 25 e maior dimensão, peso e espessura do úmero 26 do braço dominante (direito) em comparação ao esquerdo. Por outro lado, Macedo et al 27 compararam DCT entre os lados dominante e não dominante em grupos com comprometimento unilateral e controle.…”

“…Although comparisons of anthropometric estimations and measurements between hemi-bodies have been the object of recent research, most investigations do not include BP measurements in the analysis, and their objectives are related to the evaluation of training, and muscle strength and movement. However, studies have shown an asymmetry between the arms, such as greater mass, 25 and bigger, heavier, and thicker humerus in the dominant (right) arm 26 compared with the left arm than the left one. 26 On the other hand, Macedo et al 27 compared TS thickness between dominant and non-dominant sides in individuals with cerebral palsy and spastic hemiplegia and control subjects.…”

The influence of age on greater sciatic notch morphology: testing the Walker method in an Australian population

“…Bilateral symmetry was evaluated to support left-side analysis of samples for this study. Bilateral symmetry of paired morphological traits is a correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of one side to the opposite side [ 13 ]. Significant deviation, referred to as bilateral asymmetry, may affect morphoscopic and morphometric analysis by distorting, delaying, or speeding up the skeletal markers used for biological estimations [ 13 , 32 ].…”

“…Bilateral symmetry of paired morphological traits is a correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of one side to the opposite side [ 13 ]. Significant deviation, referred to as bilateral asymmetry, may affect morphoscopic and morphometric analysis by distorting, delaying, or speeding up the skeletal markers used for biological estimations [ 13 , 32 ]. Multiple factors can influence the prevalence and expression of asymmetry (e.g., genetic, environmental perturbations, handedness, biomechanical, etc.)…”

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Torsional Side Difference in Proximal Humerus Fractures and Humeral Shaft Fractures: Theoretical Background with Technical Notes for Clinical Implementation

“…Moreover, there remains disagreement in the literature whether, in addition to this high interindividual variability of humeral torsion, there are also intraindividual side differences in humeral torsion. For example, some authors have observed a lower humeral torsion in the dominant arm [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], whereas other authors have not found a significant side difference [ 6 , 11 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”