Racial variation on articular surface of talus (astragalus) in North Indian population

Articular morphology, especially of the lower limb, can be modified by various stresses on bone like adoption of bipedal gait and erect posture resulting in variations of the skeleton. Effects of variations in posture like squatting, which are a part of lifestyle of certain populations, were studied on 147 tali of North Indian population and examined for differences with those from other geographic regions. The modifications were classified into nine types. The lateral squatting facet was the most frequently found variation (65.9%), the medial, combined and continuous squatting facets being 8.2%, 2.04% and 4.1%, respectively. Lateral (32.7%), medial (27.2%) and continuous (4.7%), trochlear extensions, and extensions of medial (39.4%) and lateral (12.9%) articular facets were also observed in the population studied. The findings of the present study were important markers which could help in determining the race of unidentified bones.