Prediction of Total Length of Humerus from its Fragments in West Bengal Population

Abstract

Introduction: Reconstruction of stature from human skeletal remains has long been considered as an important medico legal challenge. In absence of other bones like cranium or pelvis, anatomical knowledge of long bone even when only a fragment of it becomes available may help to meet that challenge through a series of estimation of length of long bone first and then reconstruction of stature of the unidentified individual. Aim: To determine length of different segments of humerus and then reconstruction of total length of humerus, in West Bengal population using standard regression formula. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 adult dry humerii, 30 belonging to right and 30 of left side of unknown age and sex were taken. Each bone was divided into five segments (H1, H2, H3, H4 and H5) by taking predetermined points on it. Such five parameters along with total length of humerus were measured to the nearest millimetre. The values were presented as mean±SD in mm separately for each side. The proportion of each segment to the total length was also calculated. Simple linear regression (p < 0.01) was used to correlate the length of each segment with total length. Later on, when multiple regressions were used to estimate total length, incorporation of variables was made through stepwise regression. Results: The average total length of humerus on right side was 307.13±17.99 and on left side 297.77±19.78. The mean lengths of five segments, namely H1, H2, H3, H4 and H5 were 6.11±0.80, 34.07±1.44, 18.76±2.00, 16.22±2.13 and 32.51±2.70 mm on right and 6.03±0.73, 33.10±1.95, 18.12±1.68, 15.99±1.82 and 31.96±1.32 mm on left humerii respectively. When multiple linear regression was used, H2 alone contributing 65% and 76% showed significant changes in estimating total length of humerus in case of right and left sides respectively. Conclusion: The present study revealed prediction of total length of humerus from detailed estimation of different segments of humerus among West Bengal population which may be treated in future as an useful reference not only for anatomists, forensic experts and archaeologists but also for orthopaedic surgeons undertaking reconstructive surgery for proximal and distal humeral fractures.

Keywords

• human skeleton
• long bones
• reconstruction
• segments