Osteometric Study of Dry Human Clavicle with Reference to Rhomboid Fossa to Determine Sexual Dimorphism and Its Mid Shaft Circumference

Abstract

Introduction: The characteristic S-shaped clavicle bone provides communication between the chest and the upper limb, so it plays an important role in the whole function of the shoulder girdle. For clavicle, various parameters including length, midshaft circumference, sternal end, acromial end, and rhomboid fossa have been used to identify sex in anthropology and forensic sciences. The rhomboid fossa of clavicle, an area of the inferior surface of the sternal end of clavicle, could be present as an impression, tuberosity, depression, or fossa. Methodology: Total 123 dry clavicles were included in this study. The duration of study was over a period of one year. This study was conducted in Department of Anatomy, CIMS Medical college, Bilaspur, Chattisgarh. Result: The result of this study revealed that the elevated type of rhomboid fossa was more common in males than females, while smooth and flat types were more common in females than males.Conclusion: It can be concluded that, significant degree of sexual dimorphism of rhomboid fossa of clavicle and also in mid shaft circumference would been lightening to further studies on molecular bases which relate to sexual dimorphism and type of clavicle in recent specimens. The results of molecular studies can be correlated with type and the sex of clavicle which could be used as a qualitative criterion in differentiation of sex of clavicles from skeletal remains of cadavers in the population.