Morphometric Study Of Nasal Bone And Piriform Aperture In Human Dry Skull Of South Indian Origin

ABSTRACT

Background: Nasal bone and piriform aperture shows racial and geographical differences because of variableclimate.Aim: the aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions (maximal width and length), the size and the shape ofthe piriform aperture (PA) and nasal bone in South Indian adult.Materials and Methods: In this observational study, dimension of piriform aperture and nasal bone were measuredusing digital Vernier Calipers after assessing landmarks around the piriform aperture on the norma frontalis inFrankfurt plane in 51 skull of South Indian origin.Results: The mean height of the piriform aperture between male and female showed significance this hascorrelated well with the previously data acquired from human skulls. The present study findings were similar tomost of Indian skulls having platyrhine type of piriform aperture (triangular to oval shape with piriform apertureindex of 0.79. The Mean length and width of nasal bone did not show sexual dimorphism.Conclusion: the analysis of size and shape of the piriform aperture showed the existence of a significant sexualdimorphism. These results encourage us to go further with functional and imaging correlations. This study willalso be helpful in forensic research, anthropology and plastic surgery.