RACIAL ARCHITECTURE OF HUMAN MANDIBLE-AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Skeletal elements are used to quantify variations related to sexual dimorphism. Determination of sex and race in unknown skeletal remains is one of the key biological characteristics used. Mandible is next to pelvis in determination of sex, age and race. Methods based on cranio -mandibular parameters contribute for sex determination and race identification. The mandible is a U-shaped and the only mobile bone of the facial skeleton. The 2 sides of the mandible are not always perfectly symmetrical, due to inherent general asymmetry. AIM & OBJECTIVE: The present study is an attempt to evaluate two important metric traits of the mandible like mandibular angle & height of the ramus. It's role in sexual dimorphism, and as an anthropological tool in racial and / or population diagnosis of Indian origin, especially in Uttarakhand region. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 30 dry male and 30 dry female adult human mandibles collected from Departments of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine of SGRR Medical College. Well preserved mandibles with intact body, ramus, gonion and coronoid process used. Instrument used to measure is Mandibulometer. ANALYTICAL TEST: "t" test. RESULT: Mean mandibular angle of right side is 115.00 degree and on left side is 113.77 degree whereas ramus height of right side is 4.94 cm and on left side is 4.80 cm. CONCLUSION: Significant difference in mean mandibular angle of right and left of female and not so in male. Significant difference was noted between the mean right and left ramus height of male and female respectively.