SEXUAL DIMORPHISM USING CEPHALIC INDEX

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cephalometry is useful in the classification of sex and race of individuals of unknown identity.This study contains an synoptic capture of cephalic and cephalic dimensions among dental students.Cephalic index is an most important parameters in identification of both sexes.Skull is an most preferred bone for sexual dimorphism since, it resists mutilation,decomposition and even fire.Skull is an most important reliable bone for sex differentiation.Sexual dimorphism means that two sexes of species that differ in external appearance. AIM: To verify if cephalic index can be used for sexual dimorphism. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Cephalic index=width/length x 100. The cephalic index or cranial index is the ratio of the maximum width multiplied by 100 divided by its maximum length. After getting informed consent measurements were taken for 60 individuals (30 male and 30 female) with the help of spreading calipers Three values were recorded and the average value were taken as the main value.SPSS software (23) were used to analyse the data. RESULT: Wilcoxon signed rank test was done, the p value was 0.192 (p>0.05). So, it is statistically not significant, hence sexual dimorphism cannot be determined using head circumference. CONCLUSION: Cephalic index is a highly useful method for planning surgical procedures as well as assessing their effectiveness in correcting cranial deformations in children. From the present study we conclude that cephalic index is not a reliable parameter for sexual dimorphism.