Correlation Between Endocranial Capacity and Size of Foramen Magnum with Special Reference to Sex.
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Date
2014-01
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Abstract
Background: Endocranial capacity is an important parameter in the study of human evolution, race and sex
determination of skull. Diameters of foramen magnum are important because vital structures passing through
it may endues compression and for sex determination of skulls. Correlation between endocranial capacity and
area of foramen magnum was reported in mammals. This relation in human can be used to determine sex of
damaged skulls.
Methods: 150 dry skulls and 30 CT scan images of living subjects were studied. Endocranial capacity of skulls
was measured by modified Breitinger’s method. Diameters of foramen magnum were measured by vernier
calipers and its area was calculated by formula endocranial capacity of CT scan images measured by planimetry.
Diameters and area of foramen were measured automatically.
Results: The Mean endocranial capacity of male and female skulls were 1367.3ml and 1255.2ml respectively by
modified Breitinger’smethod and by CT scan image planimetry method were 1347.1ml and 1130ml. The
mean longitudinal diameter of foramen magnum in male was 33.4mm and female was 33.1mm and by CT
Imaging method in male was 38.5mm and female was 35.2mm. The mean transverse diameter of foramen
magnum in male was 28.5mm and female was 27.3mm and by CT Imaging method in male was 29.1mm and
female was 27.6mm.
Conclusion: Endocranial capacity, transverse diameter and area of foramen magnum of male skulls were greater
than females. A significant positive correlation was observed between endocranial capacity and area of foramen
magnum in male and female skulls, but highly significant positive correlation was observed when both sexes
were considered together. Living subjects showed a significant positive correlation between endocranial capacity
and area of foramen magnum when both sexes were considered together.
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Keywords
Skull, Sex, Endocranial capacity, Foramen magnum, Race
Citation
Shepur Muralidhar P, Magi M, Nanjundappa B, Havaldar Pavan P, Gogi Premalatha, Saheb Shaik Hussain. Correlation Between Endocranial Capacity and Size of Foramen Magnum with Special Reference to Sex. International Journal of Anatomy and Research. 2014 Jan-Mar; 2(1): 273-278.