Cephalic anthropometry of Ndi Igbo of Abia state of Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to determine some relevant cephalic parameters, in relation to sex and age and to study the distribution of basic head types among Ndi Igbo of Abia state indigenes of Nigeria. The study sample comprised 600 subjects of both sex (300 male and 300 female) aged 7 to 40. They were grouped into adults, young adults and children. Fronto occipital circumference, head length and head breadth were measured and the cephalic index was calculated for all groups. Significant differences were found in some of the measured variables. Higher significant values in males were observed in the fronto-occipital circumference in age group 16-25 years (young adults) and in the overall group. Males also recorded higher significant value in the maximum head length in children, adults and in the overall group. Maximum head breadth value for females was significantly higher in young adults (16-25 years) while in the adult group it was significantly higher in male. Cephalic index values for the females were significantly higher in the overall group, in children and in adults but in the young adult group, the male value was significantly higher. According to the cephalic index, male values revealed that dolicocephalic type was dominant in children; brachycephalic type was dominant in young adults while in adults mesocephally was dominant. In females the dominant head type was brachycephaly in all age groups. The data collected will be of utmost importance in forensic medicine, anthropology and in genetics. © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific Information.