Rhomboid fossa and mid shaft circumference of the clavicle - anthropological study in North Karnataka population

Abstract

The rhomboid fossa of clavicle was studied globally by forensic experts and anthropologists to determine the age and sex. This study was done on samples of human clavicles from North Karnataka of South India to determine the sexual dimorphism which is of anthropological, forensic and clinical importance. In this study mid shaft circumference, morphology of rhomboid fossa of clavicle was analysed. The incidences of rhomboid fossa of depressed and elevated types are seen more in males and smooth and flat types are seen mainly in female clavicles. This study also showed relative degree of sexual dimorphism in the mid shaft circumference of male and female clavicles. Since morphology of rhomboid fossa and mid shaft circumference of clavicles are significantly associated with sex, these results can be correlated with further molecular studies. These results may be used as indicators to determine sex in anthropology and forensic science to aid identification of isolated bone specimens.

Incidence of Clavicular Rhomboid Fossa in Northeastern Thais: An Anthropological Study

“…This was assumed to support the mechanical force of fossa formation. Similar to the Indians, this high incidence of Type 4 was found approximately in 67% [ 17 ]. In contrast to Greece and Indians, Type 4 fossa in Northeastern Thais was approximately 3.78% ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Previous studies have reported only two types (depressed and smooth) of clavicular rhomboid fossa in many populations such as Greeks [ 13 ], Americans [ 15 ], Brazilians [ 16 ], North Karnataka [ 17 ], North Indians [ 21 ], and Greeks [ 22 ]. In our observations ( Figure 1 ), the types of rhomboid fossa were similar to that investigated in Indian clavicles which were classified into 4 types (smooth, flat, elevated, and depressed) [ 17 ]. It is possible that the lifestyles of these two populations are similar such as agricultural occupations in rural areas that might affect the rhomboid fossa development.…”

“…In this study, the rhomboid fossa of 476 dried clavicles from Thai skeletons could be classified into 4 types based on Bhat and coworkers [ 17 ] as shown in Figure 1 . Type 1 was smooth type showing no oval line or nodule or tubercle on inferior surface of the clavicular sterna end ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…In the literatures, the rhomboid fossa of clavicle, an area of the inferior surface of the sterna end, could be present as the impressions, tuberosities, depressions, or fossa [ 17 – 20 ]. Since the rhomboid fossa is attached by costoclavicular or rhomboid ligament, it is generally called “impression for costoclavicular ligament.” In Indians, Jit and Kaur [ 21 ] have reported that the rhomboid fossa between males and females was not different.…”

The influence of biological affinity and sex on morphometric parameters of the clavicle in a South African sample

“…In addition, a number of studies have reported that morphometric parameters of the clavicle vary between population affinities (Akhlaghi, Moradi, & Hajibeygi, ; Alcina, Rissech, Clavero, & Turbón, ; Ishwarkumar, Pillay, Haffajee, & Rennie, ; Králík, Urbanová, & Wagenknechtová, ; McCormick, Stewart, & Greene, ; Murphy, ; Patel, Shah, Merchant, Nirvan, & Shah, ; Spradley & Jantz, ). For example, previous studies have shown that the incidence of rhomboid fossae, a skeletal trait produced by the costoclavicular ligament which connects the first rib to the clavicle, may differ between the sexes and may be influenced by biological or population affinity (Bhat, Asif, Manjegowda, Radhakrishna, & Shivarama, ; Jit & Kaur, ; Kaewma, Sampannang, Tuamsuk, Kanpittaya, & Iamsaard, ; Paraskevas et al, ; Prado et al, ; Rogers, Flournoy, & McCormick, ).…”