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Background. External ear measurement is of utmost importance in reconstructive surgeries. Objectives. The present study is aimed at ascertaining sexual dimorphism in external ear anthropometry and ear lobe attachments among adults Ijaws in Bayelsa, Nigeria. Methods. A total of 112 adults within the age range of 18-50 yrs, who met the inclusion criteria, were involved in the study. Four linear dimensions of the ear, which are ear length (EL), ear width (EW), lobular length (LL) and lobular width (LW), were measured for both genders. The lobular attachment for both ears for males and females were also examined and results recorded. These data were subjected to Student t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation using SPSS version 20.0. Results. The mean values for EL, EW, LL, and LW for the left auricle in the males and females were 58.14±0.60, 27.41±0.37, 14.47±0.27, 13.50±0.34 and 57.90±0.16, 27.45±0.65, 15.41±0.31, 13.43±0.38 respectively. However, for the right auricle in the males and females, the values were 58.40±0.45, 28.21±0.68, 14.32±0.31, 13.04±0.32, and 56.66±1.10, 27.51±0.65, 15.58±0.29, 13.28±0.34 respectively. The left and right lobular length were the only parameters that proved statistical significance (p<0.05) in females compare to males. Pearson’s correlations between right and left sides for each of the parameters were positive and significant. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant relationship (p>0.05) between earlobe attachments and gender. Conclusions. Sexual dimorphism was thus established in the Ijaw population as regards lobular length dimensions. It is believed that the results of this study would be very useful for ear morphology and reconstructive surgeries.

Background: Metopic suture also known as the frontal, interfrontal, or median frontal suture is formed in the midline at the meeting of the two halves of the frontal bone. Normally it gets obliterated by early childhood, but in some cases, it persists and is described as metopism. This study is aimed at investigating metopism prevalence in dry Nigerian skull.  Methods: This study was conducted on ninety-six (65 males and 31 females) adult Nigerian dry skulls from 5 selected Universities in the Southern part of Nigeria. Metopic suture (metopism) was considered to be complete when it continued uninterruptedly from the nasion to the bregma and incomplete when it was not present over its entire length. The incomplete metopic sutures were further classified into shapes. Results: Metopism was observed in 31 skulls (32.3%) of which 22 (21.9%) were males and 9 (9.4%) were females. Complete metopic suture was found in only 1 skull (1.04%) and incomplete metopic suture was seen in 30 skulls (31.25%). Among the incomplete ones, linear shape metopic suture was the most common in 16 skulls (16.67%). 7 (7.29%) were V-shaped metopic suture and another 7 (7.29%) were double-type metopic suture. Prevelence of metopic suture was slightly higher in males than in females. However, there was no statistical level of association with respect to sexual dimorphism. Conclusion: The prevalence and morphometry of metopism in the 96 adult Nigerian skulls studied, revealed complete metopism to be 1.04% with a length of 127.0mm as against incomplete metopism of 31.25% making a total prevalence of 32.29%. The prevalence of metopic suture was slightly higher in males than in females with the linear metopic suture occurring the most. Sexual dimorphism with respect to incomplete metopism types and shapes revealed no association This study is important for radiologists and neurosurgeons in diagnosis of frontal bone fractures and during surgical intervention including frontal craniotomy.

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Aim: This research aimed at investigating the applicability of linear measurements of Bicoronoid (BRB) and Bimental Breadth (BMB) of mandible in sex determination in four geo-political zones in Nigerian. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was adopted for this research. Place and Duration of Study: Anthropometric data were obtained from adult mandibles from selected medical schools across four geo-political zones in Nigeria from January to June 2021. Methodology: 52 males and 30 females mandibles were used for this study. Bicoronoid Breadth (BRB) and Bimental Breadth (BMB) were measured using vernier caliper and data analyzed using SPSS IBM version 23.0. Results: Descriptive analysis of BRB and BMB showed higher mean values for males 98.25mm and 45.79mm than females 90.99mm and 44.03mm respectively. Independent t-test analysis of the parameters showed significant sexual difference at 95% confident interval. The discriminant function analysis sufficiently discriminated sex and after cross-validation, BRB accurately predicted 82.7% males and 53.3% females while BMB accurately predicted 84.6% males and 26.7% females. Conclusion: Bicoronoid and Bimental breadth measurements of mandible are recommended for sex determination in forensic investigation due to its role in sexual dimorphism.