Background Establishing personal identity is one of the main concerns in forensic investigations. In forensic anthropology, estimation of height from head circumference has a significant role in establishing personal identity.Objective The objective of the present study was an attempt to understand the relationship between height and head circumference of an individual and to derive regression formulae to estimate the height from the head circumference.Method The present study consisted of 440 (258 male and 182 female) students of age group 17 to 25 years studying in Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal during the period from November 2012 to October 2013. Height and head circumference of an individual were measured in centimeter. Data were analyzed by using statistical software SPSS-16Result The findings of the present study were significant correlation between height and head circumference (r = 0.443, p < 0.01 for male, r = 0.302, p<0.01 for female, and r = 0. 398, p < 0.01 for combined (male and female). The regression equation for height and head circumference was found to be Y = 1.734X + 70.36 (R2 = 0.196) for male, Y = 0.916X + 106.8 (R2 = 0.091) for female, and Y = 1.648 X + 71.69 (R2 = 0.158) for combined (male and female), where Y is the height of Individual and X is the Head Circumference.Conclusion Head circumference showed highly significant positive correlation with individual’s height. Therefore, the present study will help in medico-legal cases in establishing the identity of an individual and this would also be useful for Anatomists and Anthropologists.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(2) 2014: 89-92

BackgroundDetermining the sex of deceased is easy when a complete skeleton is available for examination. On the whole, the bones are heavier, larger and markings of muscular attachments are more pronounced in the male than in the female. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was attempted to evolve an easily applied formula to enable the assessment of sex in an unknown clavicles and to know about comparative differences between the right and left clavicles, from certain metrical parameters. MethodsThe study was an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive in nature. The present study was conducted on 257 adult clavicles out of which, 135 were of the right side and 122 of left side. The maximum length of the clavicle (in mm) was taken. ResultsThe length of the right clavicles varies from 108 mm to 178 mm with an average of 143.21 mm ±11.13 mm S.D. The length of the left clavicles varies from 111mm to 181 mm with an average 145.53 mm ±11.04 mm S.D. It has been observed that the left clavicle was longer than the right clavicle by 2.32 mm. There was no such single character which can determine the sex of all clavicles. Depending on the length alone, the sex can be decided in 13.33% male and 4.44% female right clavicles and 16.39% male and 9.83% female bones if the left clavicle is considered. ConclusionThe left clavicle was longer than the right clavicle. The determination of sex from the clavicle has a great medico legal significance to the toxicologists. It also helps the anthropologists in their study of evolution of mankind and migration of races. Citation Haque MK, Mansur DI, Krishnamurthy A, Karki R, Sharma K, Shakya R. Morphometric analysis of clavicle in Nepalese population. Kathmandu Univ Med J. 2011;35(3):193-7. end. Mid-clavicular circumference is the most reliable single indicator of sex: a combination of this measurement with weight and length yields better results. 2The human clavicle is a long bone, which has a shaft and two ends. The right sided long bones of the limbs are usually larger than those of the left. 3 The right clavicle was heavier and its mid circumference was greater than those of the left clavicle. 4The purpose of this study was attempted to evolve an easily applied formula to enable the assessment of sex in an unknown clavicles and to know about comparative differences between the right and left clavicles, from certain metrical parameters.

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Objectives: To observe the sexual dimorphism among the young adult age group ranging from 18-21 years, of Kathmandu University students by measuring craniofacial circumference and canthal distances. Rationale of the study: These data could be useful for establishing the craniofacial standards and adds an implementation on plastic surgery, crime detection as well as in the industrial field. Method: 300 clinically normal students of Kathmandu University aged between 18-21 years were examined for the study. Fronto-occipital circumference, outer and inner canthal distances were measured. All the parameters were compared between males and females. Result: The cranial circumference as well as the inner and outer canthal distance in males was found to be significantly higher as compared to the females. Conclusion: The results concluded that sexual dimorphism remarkably exists in young adults of Kathmandu University students.

Introduction: Atlanto-occipitalization(AOZ) is one of the congenital anomalies related to craniovertebral synostosis. The clear understanding of its anatomical features and cranial foraminal variants plays a critical role in finding the possible coping mechanism with its pathogenesis such as segmental instability or neurologic deficits. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of occipitalization of Atlas and related variant foramina, as the baseline awareness of these conditions among the Nepalese population is yet to be documented. Methodology: A retrospective study was performed for the total 86 dry skulls available in the department of Anatomy in Katmandu University of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Science, and B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. The skulls were examined thoroughly to evidence the occurrence of cranio-vertebral variations. Result: Out of 86 human adult skulls, 2 cases (2.32 %) were found with partial AOZ presenting posterior spina bifida close to the midline. Sphenoidal emissary foramen (SEF) was also observed in 17 skulls (19.76 %), an additional foramen lying anteromedial to the foramen ovale. Moreover, one of the skulls (1.16 %) was found with the presence of pterygospinous bar creating an additional foramen ‘foramen of Civinini’ in the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone. Conclusion: The incidence of AOZ and pterygospinous bar seems to be quite low as compared to the cases of SEF. However, the knowledge of such variations and the presence of additional foramina carry great significance for orthopedists and neurosurgeons to have prognostic implications and an accurate surgical approach.