Evidence shows a clear racial variation in the position of the mental foramen. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the morphometry of the mental foramen in different populations is essential in clinical dentistry when administering regional anesthesia, and performing peripheral surgery in the mental region of the mandible. The goal of this study was to elucidate the morphological features and precise anatomical position of the mental foramen with reference to surrounding anatomical landmarks in an adult Sri Lankan population. A total of fifty one adult dry mandibles were assessed to determine the number, shape, orientation, vertical and transverse diameters of the mental foramen and the distance between the mental foramen and symphysis menti. The position of the mental foramen was determined in relation to the mandibular teeth. Data were evaluated between gender and side. The findings indicated that the most common position for the mental foramen was in line with the longitudinal axis of the lower second premolar (52.94%) followed by a position between first and second premolar (26.47%). The mean transverse and vertical diameters of the foramen were 3.31 ± 0.76 and 2.50 ± 0.61 mm, respectively. The mental foramen was located 24.87 ± 6.07 mm (right side) and 24.77 ± 6.07mm (left side) lateral to the symphysis menti. In the majority of cases, the mental foramen was oval in shape (59%) and its usual direction of opening was in a postero-superior direction (49.01%). The incidence of multiple mental foramina was 3.92%. The results of this study provide valuable information that will facilitate effective localization of the neurovascular bundle passing through the mental foramen thus avoiding complications from local anesthetic, surgical and other invasive procedures.

Prediction of stature has been achieved from measurements of various long bones with varying degrees of accuracy. All such calculations depend on the fact that limbs exhibit consistent ratios relative to the total height of a person and these ratios are linked to age, sex and race. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between personal stature and hand length among a group of male and female Sri Lankan adults and to derive a linear regression formula between the hand length and height of an individual. A hand length, direct was measured using a sliding caliper capable of The height of the individual was measured standing erect, in anatomical position using a standing height measuring instrument. The differences of the hand length between the genders were found to be highly significant. A positive correlation between height and hand length was observed in both sexes and it was statistically significant. Regression equation for stature estimation was formulated using the hand length for both sexes. The results indicate that hand length provides precise means of estimating the stature of an unknown individual. The regression formula derived in this study will be useful for anatomists, archaeologists, anthropologists and forensic scientists.

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SUMMARY:Prediction of stature from incomplete and decomposing skeletal remains is vital in establishing the identity of an unknown individual. It has been stated that a variety of factors such as race, gender and nutrition play an important role in determining the height of an individual. Estimation of stature from measurements of various long bones has been achieved with varying degree of accuracy. Those studies resulted in establishing different formulae for the estimation of stature for the respective populations. However, evidence shows that there is a great void in such norms for Sri Lankans. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the relationship and to propose a gender and age specific linear regression models between the ulna length and height of an individual. A total of 258 subjects with an age span of 20-23 years were included in the study. The ulna length was measured using a digital sliding caliper capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01 mm. The height of the individual was measured standing erect, in anatomical position using a standing height measuring instrument. The findings of the study indicated significant differences of the ulna length between the genders. A positive correlation between height and ulna length was observed in both sexes and it was statistically significant. Regression equations for stature estimation were formulated using the ulna lengths for both males and females. The ulna length provides an accurate and reliable means in estimating the height of an individual. The regression formulae proposed in this study will be useful for clinicians, anatomists, archeologists, anthropologists and forensic scientists when such evidence provides the investigator the only opportunity to gauge that aspect of an individual's physical description.

The present study provides new evidence pertaining to the origin of CBM. Further, it was revealed that the predicted distance P of any upper extremity can be calculated by dividing the arm length by 5. Precise anatomical location of MCN in relation to CBM using unequivocal and well-defined anatomical landmarks will be imperative in modern surgical procedures.

SUMMARY:Cephalic index is an important parameter in evaluating racial and gender differences. A large body of evidence shows a clear racial variation in cephalic index. Therefore detailed knowledge of the population specific data on biometric features of the cranium is important in the study and comparison of the crania of populations from different racial backgrounds, assessing growth and development of an individual and in the diagnosis of any abnormalities of cranial size and shape. Despite its' significance, little is known concerning the cranial morphometry in Sri Lankans. Hence, the present study was undertaken to establish the cranial indices and head shapes in an adult Sri Lankan population. A total of 400 subjects with an age span of 20-23 years were included in the study. The cranial length, breadth and auricular head height of the subjects were recorded using a digital sliding caliper and Todd's head spanner. The horizontal, vertical and transverse cephalic indices were calculated using external dimensions of the skulls. There were significant gender differences in all principal cranial dimensions. The mean horizontal, vertical and transverse cephalic indices were 78.54, 78.68 and 100.52 respectively. The predominant cephalic phenotype of the study subjects were brachycephalic, hypsicephalic and acrocephalic. Among males dolicocephalics and among females brachycephalics dominated. The results of this study highlight the racial and gender differences in cranial morphometry and cephalic indices in an adult Sri Lankan population. The data will be of immense use in clinical, medico-legal, anthropological and archeological scenarios.

Evidence supports a clear racial variation in the position of the infraorbital foramen. Therefore detailed knowledge of the population specific data on biometric features of the infraorbital foramen will facilitate therapeutic, diagnostic and surgical manipulations in the maxillo-facial region. The goal of this study was to elucidate the morphological features and precise anatomical position of the infraorbital foramen with reference to surrounding anatomical landmarks in an adult Sri Lankan population. A total of one hundred and eight adult dry skulls were assessed to determine the number, shape, orientation, vertical and transverse diameters of the infraorbital foramen, transverse distance from the infraorbital foramen to the maxillary midline and the zygomatico-maxillary suture and the vertical distance from the infraorbital foramen to the infraorbital rim and supraorbital foramen. The position of the infraorbital foramen was determined in relation to the maxillary teeth and the supraorbital foramen.The findings indicated that the size of the infraorbital foramen and the mean distances from the infraorbital foramen to the maxillary midline, infraorbital rim and supraorbital foramen was significantly larger in males than in females. The modal position for the infraorbital foramen was in line with the long axis of the second upper premolar and the supraorbital and infraorbital foramina were lying in the same sagittal plane only in 24.07 % of the skulls. The results highlight the racial and gender differences of the infra orbital foramen and emphasize the need for meticulous preoperative evaluation of the infraorbital foramen in patients who are candidates for maxillo-facial surgeries and regional block anesthesia.

Dimensional relationship between body segments and stature has been the focus of scientists for many years. All such studies were based on the fact that body segments exhibit consistent ratios relative to the stature and these ratios are linked to age, gender and race. Racial characters are best defined in the skull. Therefore, prediction of stature from cranial remains is vital in establishing the identity of an unknown individual. Despite its significance, little is known concerning the cranial dimensions in Sri Lankans. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the relationship and to propose a gender and age specific linear regression model between the cranial dimensions and height of an individual. A total of 400 subjects with an age span of 20-23 years were included in the study. The cranial length, breadth and auricular head height of the subjects were recorded using a digital sliding caliper and Todd's head spanner capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01mm. The height of the individual was measured standing erect, in anatomical position using a standing height measuring instrument. The findings indicated significant gender differences in all the mean cranial dimensions. Positive correlations between all cranial dimensions and stature were observed. Linear regression models for the prediction of stature from the above dimensions were formulated for both sexes. Cranial dimensions provide an accurate and reliable means in estimating the height of an individual. The regression formulae derived in this study will be of potential use in clinical, medico-legal, anthropological and archeological studies.