Assessment of Sexual Dimorphism in Mandibular Ramus: An Orthopanoramic Study

Area of Science:

• Forensic anthropology
• Osteology
• Human anatomy

Background:

• The mandible is a durable facial bone crucial for sex determination in forensic cases.
• Its morphometric analysis offers accurate sexual dimorphism, especially when skulls are incomplete.
• Panoramic radiography is a practical method for assessing mandibular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare various mandibular ramus parameters for sex determination.
• To assess the reliability of mandibular ramus measurements in distinguishing between males and females.

Main Methods:

• Orthopantomograms from 140 individuals (70 males, 70 females) were analyzed.
• Manual tracing and measurement of mandibular ramus parameters on both sides.
• Discriminant function analysis was applied to the collected data.

Main Results:

• Mandibular measurements were generally larger on the right side.
• Ramus breadth (minimum and maximum) and projective height showed statistical significance (p < 0.05).
• Males exhibited higher measurements than females, with projective height showing the greatest sexual dimorphism.

Conclusions:

• Mandibular ramus measurements are valuable for gender determination in forensic science.
• This method is particularly useful for identifying sex from damaged or partial mandibles.
• Findings are relevant for medico-legal applications, especially in Nepal.