Publication: Assessment of Sexual Dimorphism in Mandibular Ramus: An Orthopanoramic Study
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the face, is very durable, and hence
remains well preserved than many other bones. In cases of mass disasters where
an intact skull is not found, the mandible may play a vital role in sex determination
as it is the most dimorphic bone of the skull. Morphometric analysis of mandibular
ramus provides highly accurate data to discriminate sex. This can be accomplished
by the use of panoramic radiography which is widely available and is used routinely
to assess the mandibular structures.
Objective
To evaluate and compare the various parameters of the mandibular ramus and to
determine the usefulness of the mandibular ramus as an aid in sex determination.
Method
Orthopantomograms of 140 samples (70 males and 70 females) were collected from
the archives and traced manually on matte acetate tracing paper. Various parameters
of mandibular ramus were measured on the right and left sides. The obtained
measurements were subjected to discriminant function analysis.
Result
Mandibular measurements on the right side were greater than on the left side.
However, only the ramus breath (minimum and maximum) and projective height of
ramus were statistically significant (p < 0.05). All the measurements were higher for
males than females. F-statistic values indicated that the highest sexual dimorphism
was seen with the projective height of ramus and least with minimum ramus breath.
Conclusion
Mandibular ramus measurements can be a useful tool for gender determination
and can be an essential tool in forensic science especially when there is damaged or
partially preserved mandibles and may be helpful for medico-legal purpose in Nepal.
KEY WORDS
Dimorphism, Discriminant analysis, Gender, Mandible, Panoramic, Ramus
Description
Koju S,1 Maharjan N,1 Rajak RRK,2 Yadav DK,1 Bajracharya D,1 Ojha B1
1Department of Oral Pathology
2Department of Orthodontics
Kantipur Dental College Teaching Hospital and Research Center (KDCH),
Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Dimorphism, Discriminant analysis, Gender, Mandible, Panoramic, Ramus