Osteometry at muscle origin and insertion in sex determination

Area of Science:

• Anthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Forensic Anthropology

Background:

• Sexual dimorphism in human skeletal remains is crucial for identifying sex in archaeological and forensic contexts.
• The humerus, a long bone, exhibits variations that can aid in sex determination.
• Understanding factors influencing these variations, such as occupational stress, is essential for accurate analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of muscle use (occupational differences) on the size and shape of the humerus.
• To assess the impact of these occupational differences on the accuracy of sex identification from humerus measurements.
• To discuss the implications of these findings for broader studies of sexual dimorphism in human bones.

Main Methods:

• Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to 22 size measurements of the humerus.
• Data were collected from five distinct populations: Sudanese Nubians, Arikara, Pecos Pueblos, American blacks, and American whites.
• Specific attention was paid to muscle origins and insertions on the humerus.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in humerus measurements were observed across the studied populations.
• Muscle use patterns demonstrably affected specific humerus dimensions, particularly at muscle attachment sites.
• These occupational effects introduced variability that could influence sex identification accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Occupational differences in muscle use can impact the sexual dimorphism of the humerus.
• The findings highlight the need to consider functional adaptations when interpreting skeletal sex differences.
• This research provides a foundation for refining sexual dimorphism studies across various skeletal elements.