Orbital and Foramen Magnum Variables for sex determination in Egyptians using computed Tomographic Images

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 faculty of medicine,Menoufia University

2 faculty of medicine, Menoufia university

Abstract

Introduction: Sex determination is one of the principle indicators of identity. The skull is the second best part of the skeleton to be used for sex determination after the pelvis. Sex determination from cranial fragments becomes essential especially when only a part of the skull is brought for identification.
Aim: The present study was aimed to demonstrate the sexual dimorphism of the orbit and the foramen magnum (FM) in a sample of Egyptian population in order to increase the number of parameters used for identification, and by consequence, the accuracy when these parameters are combined with each other. Subjects and Methods: The present study was done on 300 cranial CT scans of known gender, 168 males and 132 females, with age ranged from 18 to 65 years, who presented to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Menoufia University for head computed tomography (CT) as indicated in the course of their management for diagnostic purpose from January to October 2019. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: The results showed that the orbital height, width and index differences between males and females were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed in FM transverse diameter, FM anteroposterior diameter and FM area. Tetragonal shape of FM was the most common in both sexes of the study sample. Conclusion: The present study shows that Foramen magnum and orbital variables can be considered along with the other parameters of the skull for sex determination in forensic analysis.

Keywords

Main Subjects