On the Prediction of Personal Stature from Cranial Dimensions

Abstract

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.

Occipito-Frontal Circumference as a Personal Stature Predictor in a Group of Sri Lankan Adults

“…It is interesting to note that, when taking into account the correlation coefficient values between other cranial dimensions (cranial width, length & height) and personal stature among Sri Lankans, OFC was found to be better than the cranial breadth and auricular head height in estimating male individual's stature whereas OFC was the best stature predictor out of all the cranial dimensions in a female (Ilayperuma, 2010). This observation was compatible with that of Indian population (Krishan).…”

“…For example, in immobilized patients who are bedridden or in wheelchairs, patients who are affected by deformities of the vertebral column such as scoliosis or kyphosis, or in emergency settings when patients are unable to stand on a scale to be measured accurately or clearly state their height due to altered mental status (Rabito et al, 2006). Consequently, various studies have proposed obtaining personal stature through prediction formulas based on various anthropometric variables such as arm-span (Haboubi et al, 1990;Kwok & Whitelaw, 1991), half arm-span (Bassey, 1986), knee height (Chumlea et al, 1985) and cranial dimensions in different populations (Chiba & Terazawa, 1998;Krishan, 2008;Ilayperuma, 2010).…”

Endonasal, transmaxillary, transpterygoid approach to the foramen ovale: radio-anatomical study of surgical feasibility

“…In addition, it may be that the maxillary sinus and general skeletal structure of males are larger compared with those of females, accounting for the observed, significant differences in landmark measurements. 34 Despite such sex-based variations, the relevance of the present study findings is supported by the fact that they derive from a patient cohort undergoing surgery of the infratemporal fossa and foramen ovale, and are drawn from a major hospital within a large UK city.…”

Anthropometric Study of Facial Morphology in Two Tribes of the Upper West Region of Ghana

“…The results of the present study showed that facial height values obtained in this study (13.22 ± 0.86 cm, males and 12.45 ± 0.69 cm, females) were numerically lower but not statistically significant from that of a population in the Northeastern part of Nigeria (14.12 cm ± 0.75 in males and 14.13 cm ± 0.76 in females) [26], Sri Lanka population (14.02 ± 1.03 cm in males and 13.88 ± 1.29 cm in females) [27] and Indian population (13.00 ± 0.72 cm in males and 12.54 ± 0.6 cm in females) [28]. However, the results obtained for this parameter were significantly higher than that of the Bini ethnic group in Southsouth Nigeria (11.24 ± 0.46 cm, males and 11.12 ± 0.58 cm, females) [12] and Haryanvi adults in India (11.74 ± 0.70 cm in males and 10.21 ± 0.94 cm in females) [29].…”