Morphometric evaluation of occipital condyles for sex determination in human skulls

Abstract

Introduction: Occipital condyles can be helpful in determining the sex of an individual, this study aim was to determine the morphometric
evaluation of occipital condyles for sex determination in human skulls. Materials and Methods: The study group includes adult skulls of 50
males and 46 females as determined by visual assessment of non-metrical parameters for sex determination of skull. Only those skulls having full
cranial base with intact occipital condyles and foramen magnum for all 12 measurements to be taken were included. Skulls showing any kind of
anomalies and skulls with partial damage to foramen magnum area of cranial base were not included. Results: There is non-significant difference
in length of left occipital condyles, maximum width of left occipital condyles, minimum width of left occipital condyles, minimum distance of
left occipital condyles, maximum interior distance of occipital condyles of male and female (p>.001). There is significant di fference in maximum
distance between occipital condyles of male and female (p<.001). Conclusion: Metric analysis of the basal region of the occipital bone may
provide a statistically useful indication as to the sex of an unknown skull.