Mandibular Sexual Dimorphism Analysis in CBCT Scans in a Syrian Sample

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to develop metrical and angular indices to predict the sex of unknown skeletonized human remains in Syria using the mandibular bone. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 99 CBCT scans of the Syrian population (43 males, 56 females) aged between 18-25 years. The collected CBCT images were analyzed on two occasions and by two examiners to test the reliability of measurements. Four measurements were analyzed to be used for sexual prediction analysis as following: Coronoid-Gonion length (the distance between Gonion and the highest lateral point on the Coronoid process (, minimum ramus breadth, Gonial angle, and Bigonial width. Results: All the aforementioned measurements showed significant statistical sex-related differences. The Bigonial width showed the highest difference with (P < 0.01 _ mean: 95.17 ± 6.45 mm for males, 86.84 ± 4.81 mm for females), followed by the gonial angle (P<0.01_ mean: 127.11º ± 7.87º for males, 131.52º ± 6.08º for females). Coronoid-gonion length (P < 0.01 _ mean: 58.61 ± 6.78 mm for males, 53.97 ± 5.26 mm for females) and minimum ramus breadth (P < 0.01 _ mean: 29.63 ± 2.90 mm for males, 27.89 ± 2.73 mm for females). specificity and sensitivity for the four indices derived function were 79 % and 80 % respectively and the diagnostic accuracy was 79.6 %. Conclusions: The present study suggested that the sex of mandible in Syrian population could be assessed using metrical and angular measurements which considered as an additional tool for sex identification.

Keywords

• forensic anthropology
• forensic dentistry
• mandible
• mandible
• sex characteristics