Reference luminal diameters of the carotid arteries among healthy Nigerian adults.

BACKGROUND: The carotid arteries serve as major blood supply to the head and neck region of the body. Understanding their structure and function in the pathogenesis of stroke and in interventional neuroradiology due to luminal stenosis, atherosclerosis and wall stiffness is paramount. Doppler ultrasound scan plays key role in the early diagnosis of the pathologies of the arteries as it is an affordable, accessible, reliable and non-invasive clinical tool. Knowing normal average diameter of the carotid arteries among healthy individuals is important in making correct clinical diagnosis in any population. The aim of the study was to determine mean diameters of the carotid arteries among healthy adult Nigerians for reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study involving 104 healthy Nigerians within the ages of 18 and 65 years who had their carotid arteries scanned on both sides and each diameter was measured. A 95% confidence level was used; a p-value of < 0.05 was significant. RESULTS: Of the studied population, 62 were males and 42 were females, and the average age of the subjects was 28.32 ± 9.09 years. From this study, the average luminal diameter of the common carotid artery = 0.61 ± 0.08 cm, internal carotid artery = 0.60 ± 0.08 cm and external carotid artery = 0.49 ± 0.10 cm. The results showed that although, there are differences in measurements between the two sexes (males slightly higher than females in common carotid artery) and between right and left sides (with right side slightly higher), they are not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This sonographic study on healthy Nigerian adults has given us normal reference values of the luminal diameters of the carotid arteries among Nigerians, which clinicians can make reference to, when assessing carotid artery diameters of patients in Nigeria.

Estimation of stature from hand and foot dimensions of annang indigene of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Stature is a significant anthropometric determinant of the physical identity of an individual. Aim: This study was carried out to estimate stature of Nigerian Annang indigenes of Akwa Ibom State from hand and foot dimensions. Methods: Two hundred (200) adults Annang indigenes (100male and female each) were randomly selected for this study. Hand and foot dimensions were obtained by direct linear measurements using a 150mm digital vernier caliper (with accuracy of 0.01mm); while stature was determined by stadiometric measurement of the height (to the nearest 0.1m). Measurements obtained include; second (2D), fourth digit (4D) and right foot length (RFL). All measurement were converted to centimeters (cm). SPSS (IBM® version 20, Armonk, New York, USA) t-test was to evaluate gender difference in the measured dimensions; while Pearson's correlation and Generalized Linear Modeling were used to derive Regression equation for estimation of stature from the measured dimensions. The significance level was set at 95% as P≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The t-test showed that males displayed significantly higher mean values than the females for all measured parameters (P<0.001). Single regression sex specific regression formulae were derived and the result showed that better prediction (r) values were obtained for females F (2D=0.428, 4D=0.430, RFL=0.587; P<0.01) population when compared to males M (2D=0.319, 4D=0.231, RFL=0.456 P<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests the existence of sexual difference in hand and foot dimension and also the possibility of accurately estimating stature from the right foot length, right second and fourth digit

Estimation of staute from toe lengths: an evaluation of the Hausa population in Nigeria using linear modeling

Background: Statue determination has remained a basic requirement in determining human identity and ethnicity. Usually in situations when whole anatomical structures are unavailable, forensic expert would be expected to rely on smaller structures such as the phalanges, patella ribs and other fragmentary bones. Aim: The present study evaluates toe anthropometry and its usability as predictors of the stature of the Hausa ethnic group in Nigeria. Methods: Six hundred and sixty four (664) subjects comprising of equal percentage of adult males and females were included in the study group. Toe lengths of both feet (coded as big toe or first toe [1T] to the fifth toes [5T]) were measured using a digital Vernier calliper with accuracy of 0.01mm while stature was taken using a stadiometer with accuracy of 0.1m. SPSS (IBM®) t-test was to evaluate gender difference in the measured dimensions; while SPSS and XLSTAT (2015) Automatic & Generalized Linear Modelling were used to determine the predictability of stature from the toe lengths. The significance level was set at 95% as P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The automatic (multiple) regression analysis showed that the males displayed significantly higher mean values than the females for all measured parameters (P<0.001). The general population regression formulae were derived and only three (3) variables (R2T, R5T and L3T) significant contributors to the models for stature prediction for the general Gp (R2=0.385, F[3, 660]=137.68, P<0.001) and female F (R2=0.137, F[3, 328]=17.367, P<0.001) population, while only the L.1T could predict male M stature (R2=0.139, F[1, 330] = 54.489, P<0.001). Single regression gender-specific formulae were derived for the measurements that provided significant R2 values. Conclusion: This study suggested that estimation of a stature of Hausa ethnic group could be made possible by using specific toe measurements. However, lengths of toe may not be so reliable in the estimation of stature, but could be used for sex discrimination in forensic investigation

Angle at the Medial Border: The Spinovertebra Angle and Its Significance.

Background. The evolution from quadrupedalism to bipedalism has adjusted the balance of the upper limb to extensive movement at the shoulder. The scapular angles provide the point of attachment and control to various muscles and have been associated with the different movements of the shoulder girdle and joint. This has made the morphometric and anthropometric study of scapula a subject of extensive investigation. Aim. In the present study, the angle at the medial border was measured in the South-Southern Nigerian population and an anatomical name was ascribed to the angle. Method. The study was conducted on 173 scapulae (75 right and 98 left) obtained from various Anatomy Department of South-Sothern Nigerian Universities. The angle at medial border was obtained by pinning the edge of the superior and inferior angles, the lined traced out, and the angle measured using a protractor. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data. t-test was used to determine mean angular difference in the sides. Result. The mean ± SD of the medial angle was observed to be 136.88 ± 7.70° (R = 138.13 ± 7.06° : L = 135.92 ± 8.05°). Statistical analysis using the Z-test for mean difference showed the medial angle was found to be higher in the right side of the scapula (mean difference of 2.214 ± 1.152°), but the observed difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The above findings have adjusted the scapula from three to four angles (lateral, superior, inferior, and medial) formed from four borders (lateral, superior, inferior, and superomedial and inferomedial). The medial angle because of its anatomical location was named "spinovertebral" angle, owing to its position at the scapulae spine, and located in medial proximity to the vertebra column. Conclusion. The medial angle (now referred to as the spinovertebral angle) of the right side of the scapula is wider than the left. The representation of the spinovertebral angle is very important, as the directional attachment of the levator scapulae may be altered if it increases or decreases greatly hence resulting in stiffness of the neck. At this point, it could be postulated that the scapular is quadrangular rather than triangular.