Sex Prediction using Foramen Magnum and Occipital Condyles Computed Tomography Measurements in Sudanese Population

Abstract

Sex determination is important in establishing the identity of an individual. The foramen magnum is an important landmark of the skull base. The present research aimed to study the value of foramen magnum measurements to determine sex using computed tomography (CT) among Sudanese individuals. Foramen magnum CT scans of 400 Sudanese individuals (200 males and 200 females) aged 18 - 83 years were included in this study. Foramen magnum (length and width), right occipital condyle (length and width), left occipital condyle (length and width), minimum intercondylar distance, maximum bicondylar distance and maximum medial intercondylar distance were measured. All data were subjected to discriminant functions analysis. All nine measurements were significantly higher in males than females. Among these measurements, the right condyle length, minimum intercondylar distance, and foramen magnum width were able to determine sex in Sudanese individuals with an accuracy rate of 83 %.

Keywords

• forensic science
• forensic anthropology
• foramen magnum
• computed tomography
• discriminate functional analysis
• sudanese population