Sex Determination Using Mastoid, Asterion, and Porion Triangle in South Indian Population C
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Research Article Sex determination using mastoid, asterion, and porion triangle in South Indian population C. Prathiba Reichal, Ganesh Lakshmanan*, M. S. Thenmozhi ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to determine the sex of South Indian population using mastoid, asterion, and porion triangle. Materials and Methods: The study involved 50 human adult skulls (25 males and 25 females). The following parameters are measured using Vernier caliper: (1) Length between zygoma root and asterion, (2) length between asterion and porion, and (3) length between asterion and mastoid – The distance between the two projecting points on the skull. Results: Males have significantly higher values than females using the three parameters. Statistical Analysis: Data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. KEY WORDS: Sex determination, Dry skull, Asterion, Porion INTRODUCTION Sex determination from skeleton is a significant step in the analysis of forensic anthropology. The relation Sex refers to set of biological attributes in humans between morphological characteristics and the and animals. It is primarily associated with physical gender of the skull is of great importance in forensic and physiological features including chromosome, anthropology research.[4] gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproduction/sexual anatomy.[1] Sex is usually The human skull is a bony structure that forms the categorized as female or male, but there is variation head in the human skeleton. These morphological in the biological attributes that comprise sex and how differences support the facial structures and form those attributes are expressed. cavity for the brain. Like the skulls of other vertebrates, it protects the brain from injury.[5] The neurocranium Sexual dimorphism is where the two sexes of the and the facial skeleton are the two different parts of same species exhibit various types of characteristic skull which have embryological origin. The upper area differences beyond the differences in their sexual of the cranial bones forms the calvaria {skull cap}. organs. The condition occurs in many animals and some The facial skeleton is formed by the bones supporting plants.[2] Differences may include secondary sexual the face.[6] characteristics, size, weight, color, and markings and may also include behavioral and cognitive differences. The differences in human skull of both sexes are that These differences may be subtle or exaggerated and male skulls have more prominent supraorbital ridges, may be subjected to sexual selection. The opposite a more prominent glabella and more prominent of dimorphism is monomorphism. There are mainly temporal lines. Female skulls generally have rounder four available methods of sex determination that is orbits and narrower jaws.[7] Male skulls on average morphological, metrical, geometrical morphometrics, have larger, broader palates, squarer orbits, larger and molecular.[3] mastoid processes, larger sinuses, and larger occipital condyles than those of females.[8] Access this article online The sex of each individual can be determined by Website: jprsolutions.info ISSN: 0975-7619 the determination of the area of triangle formed Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author: Dr. Ganesh Lakshmanan, Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: +91-9894999243. E-mail: [email protected] Received on: 10-10-2018; Revised on: 21-12-2018; Accepted on: 24-01-2019 Drug Invention Today | Vol 11 • Issue 6 • 2019 1349 C. Prathiba Reichal, et al. by the mastoid, asterion, and porion which is RESULTS present in the human skull. This was described by De Paiva.[9] The aim of our study was to According to the values that were measured by determine the sex of the individual skull using calculating the area of MAP triangle in both male and these mastoidale, asterion, and porion points. female skull showed that male has a greater area of The mastoidale point indicates the most inferior MAP triangle when compared with that of female. By point of mastoid process. The asterion indicates this methodology, it is evaluated that sexual dimorphism the meeting point with lambdoid and the porion exists in human skull which can be of great significance in the field of forensic and anthropology. indicates the root of the zygoma.[10] MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 50 dry adult skulls from the Department of Anatomy at Saveetha Dental College, Poonamallee, Chennai, were used for the study. The skulls were thoroughly checked for any deformities. The points were measured by digital Vernier caliper. The mean, SD, maximal and minimal, geometric mean, area of MAP triangle, and sexual dimorphism ratio are calculated, computed, and compared between male and female skulls. DISCUSSION One of the well-established subjects in anthropology is sexual dimorphism. With the help of human skulls, precise determination of sex can be done which will REFERENCES serve as a great importance to osteologist people, and forensic and anthropologist people. A practical 1. 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