A study of sacrum with three pairs of sacral foramina in western India .

Background: The sacrum is a large, triangular fused five sacral vertebrae and forms the postero-superior wall of the bony pelvis. Numerous anatomical variations of the sacrum have been reported including complete bilateral lumbarization of the first sacral vertebra in different race generates sacrum with three pairs of sacral foramina. There has never been reported among Gujarati population in Western India. These variations may be found in the living during radiological investigations for pain and neurological symptoms of patients or may be found during post mortem examination or during dissection of human body and osteology class for first M.B.B.S students. Objective: The study was designed to know the prevalence of sacrum with three pairs of sacral foramina among Gujarati population in Western India as there is paucity of available literature. Considering the variation, we conduct this study as a prelude to any type of experimental work in biomechanics, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in low back pain, spinal surgery and for interventional procedures like spinal anaesthesia and lumbar puncture. Materials and Methods: Observational study was carried out on 189 dry human sacra of known sex(115 male and 74 female) were studied from Department of Anatomy, B.J. Medical college Ahmedabad, Government Dental college Ahmedabad, Medical college Vadodara and Government Medical College, Surat in Gujarat. Morphological study was done on the sacrum. The sacra consisting of four vertebral segments were selected. The specimens were then carefully examined and recorded. Results: 189 dry human sacra were studied. Sacra with three pairs of sacral foramina were recorded. We founded 3 (1-Male, 2-Female) specimens of sacrum with three pairs of sacral foramina representing Bilateral complete lumbarization of first sacral vertebra. The degree of lumbarization varied: Bilateral complete lumbarization in 3 specimens and did not found Unilateral complete lumbarization specimen. Conclusion: The present study shows that the incidence of sacrum with three pairs of sacral foramina among Gujarati population in Western India is 1.58 %.The knowledge of this anatomical variation is of paramount importance to spinal surgeons, radiologists, forensic experts, morphologists and clinical anatomists.

Anthropological study of the foot and it’s relationship between different parameters and stature in an adult population of different areas of Gujarat.

Background And Objectives: The study has been done to find out correlation between different parameters of foot. The aim and objective are to develop a model to reconstruct a stature from foot breadth. The study is carried out in 285 asymptomatic healthy adults 149 Males and 136 Females between 18-23 years of age, belongs to different region of Gujarat. Materials And Methods: Foot breadth and foot length were measured with sliding calliper and stature was measured by a standard anthropometer rod in erect anatomical position. Observation And Results: Obtained data was statistically analysed, and a significant correlation of stature was observed with foot breadth and foot length with foot breadth on both Rt. And Lt. side in males and females. Linear regression equations were derived to calculate foot length and stature from foot breadth. Interpretation And Conclusion: A highly significant correlation coefficient (p-value 0.0000) has been found between different parameters of foot on both Rt. and Lt.side in males and females. So stature can be more accurately calculated by foot breadth than long bones. The findings are useful to anatomists, criminologists, human biologist and forensic medicine experts.

Morphometric study of greater sciatic notch of dry human hip bone in Gujarat region.

The distinctive morphology of human skeleton and its clear sexual dimorphism make it of interests from anatomical, forensic, obstetrical, radiological and anthropological point of view. 100 known sex normal dry human hip bones obtained from Medical College Bhavnagar, 168 known sex normal dry human hip bones from BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad and Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad were studied the year of 2005-06. The posterior segment of Greater Sciatic Notch, Genoves’ sciatic notch index and posterior angle are found to be significant by t test (P < 0.001). The posterior angle of greater sciatic notch was found to be highly significant for determination of sex of hip bone.

Study of mandibular canine teeth dimorphism in establishing sex identity in Gujarat region.

Mandibular canines exhibit the greatest sexual dimorphism amongst all teeth. The present study was performed on 368 healthy MBBS students of Medical College, Bhavnagar (216 males, 152 females) of 18 – 24 years with the aim to investigate whether any correlation existed between odontometric measures including mandibular canine index, and sex determination in the year of 2006. Mean value of intercanine distance was higher in males than females and the difference was statistically highly significant (p value<0.01). Comparison of mean values of left and right mandibular canine widths exhibited lesser values in females. The variation in right and left mandibular canine width between males and females was highly significant (p value<0.01). The right and left mandibular canine index (MCI) among genders showed significant difference. Our study conclusively establishes the existence of a definite statistically significant sexual dimorphism in mandibular canines and MCI.

Morphometric study of pterion in dry skull of Gujarat Region.

The pterion is a commonly used landmark on neurocranium; classified in four types: sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric. In this study we have found out morphology and location of pterion of skull of Gujarat region and comparison of their morphology with other populations. 42 skulls of unknown gender were examined on both sides from Department of Anatomy, Medical College Bhavnagar. Measurements of the location of the pterion were made by using stainless steel callipers. Sphenoparietal was the most common form comprising 91.7%. Measurements between from center of pterion to posterior end of frontozygomatic suture, vertical distance to upper margin of zygomatic arch, horizontal distance to lateral margin of optic canal and horizontal distance to outer end of the sphenoid ridge on the lesser wing of the sphenoid were taken. Anatomical variations of the pterion, which are of interest to anthropologists, forensic pathologists and surgeons, deserve further investigation in other populations from different areas.

Study of carrying angle and its correlation with various parameters.

The role of carrying angle in the sex determination and its cause of formation is a long debated issue in Anatomy and Anthropology. Most studies have focused on the question of cause of formation of carrying angle, difference in sex and age but little attention has been given to correlate the carrying angle with various parameters. Hence, an effort has been made to find out correlation of carrying angle with height, and length of forearm. For present study, total 333 (173 female & 160 male) asymptomatic, healthy students of Nursing School, Homeopathic Medical College, Ayurvedic College and Medical College belonging to various regions of Gujarat were selected. There ages ranged between 17 to 22 years. An improvised instrument goniometer was used for measurement of carrying angle. Height was measured in standing, erect, anatomical position from vertex to heel with bare foot. Vernier caliper of 12” was used to measure the length of forearm. According to the present study, height and length of forearm of the person are inversely related with the carrying angle. Greater carrying angle in female is considered as secondary sex characteristic. Knowledge of the carrying angle helps in paediatric elbow surgery. It also helps orthopedic surgeon for correction of cubitus varus deformity occurring after malunited supracondylar fracture of humerus.

Study of femoral neck anteversion of adult dry femora in Gujarat region.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the average angle of femoral neck anteversion in an Indian population. Unpaired 92 dry femurs, 50 of female (27 right and 23 left) and 42 of male (22 right and 20 left) devoid of any gross pathology were used to measure the femoral neck angle (FNA) from Department of Anatomy, Govt. Medical College, Bhavnagar in year 2005. They were evaluated by the Kingsley Olmsted method, and the data were statistically analyzed. In female femoral neck anteversion range form –8.3° to +30.4º with a mean of 16.4º on left and 10.5º on right sides. In male femoral neck anteversion range from –13.7° to +25.6º with a mean of 14.3º on right and 7.2º on left sides. The female femora showed about 2.7° more anteversion than the male femora. The average left-sided femora showed about 6.4° more anteversion than the right-sided femora.