Comparative study of cephalic index in North Indian and South Indian students

Abstract

Background and aims: Cephalic Index is an important parameter for deciding the race and sex of an individual. The present study was undertaken to calculate the Cephalic Index in North Indian and South Indian medical students and to compare Cephalic Index among them. Materials and methods : Ninety nine North Indian and 177 South Indian students were taken for the present study. Maximum head breadth and maximum head length were measured with spreading calipers and Cephalic Index was determined. Result: The mean Cephalic Index in study group was 76.65.InNorth Indian students, mean Cephalic Index was 74.44.In South Indian students, mean Cephalic Index was 77.71 .Dolicocephalic type of head shape predominated among North Indian students, whereas mesocephalic type was predominant in South Indian students. Conclusion: Significant gender difference and geographical variation was observed in the present study. The result of the present study will be of utmost importance in Forensic Medicine, Anthropology and in Genetics.

Keywords

• head-length
• head-breadth
• dolicocephalic
• mesocephalic
• brachycephalic