Distance between the mastoid processes of the human skull: sex differences

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2023.4.22-26

Keywords:

human, skull, temporal bone, mastoid process, intermastoidale distance, intermastoid lateral surface distance, intermastoidal index, individual anatomical variability, sex determination.

Abstract

Background. The mastoid processes of the temporal bones are used in studies aimed at determining the sex of skulls. A marked sexual dimorphism of their linear dimensions has been established. Sex differences are also revealed by the distance between the mastoid processes; it is measured as the distance between the lowest point on the tip of the mastoid process (craniometrics points mastoidale) – intermastoidale distance (IMD), or as the distance between the points farthest from the median plane on the lateral surfaces of the left and right mastoid processes (intermastoid lateral surface distance, IMLSD) – the maximal or lateral intermastoid distance. Among other linear dimensions of the mastoid processes, these morphometric parameters proved to be the best determinants of cranial sex, but are less studied than other morphometric parameters. Objective: to determine the range of individual variability, sex differences and the relationship between intermastoidale distance and intermastoid lateral surface distance. Methods. The study was conducted on 50 adult skulls (33 males and 17 females) from the craniological collection of the Department of Human Anatomy of KhNMU. The intermastoid index (IMI) was calculated as the ratio between intermastoidale distance (IMD) and intermastoid lateral surface distance (IMLSD) by the formula: IMI=(IMD×100/IMLSD). Results. Both indices characterizing the distance between the mastoids are significantly higher in male skulls than in female skulls: intermastoid lateral surface distance (M±s) 127,4±5,6 and 118,5±3,5; p<0,05 respectively; intermastoidale distance 107,7±6,5 and 99,8±2,7; p<0,05 respectively. There is a relationship between intermastoidale distance and intermastoid lateral surface distance, described by the linear regression equation y = 0,7x + 50,2 in male skulls (r=0,84) and y = 0,7x + 49,1 in female skulls (r=0,55). The values of intermastoid index in male and female skulls coincide (M±s: 84,5±2,9 and 84,2±2,6), but the relationship between intermastoidale distance and intermastoid index differs significantly: y = 0,34x + 50,1 in male skulls and y = 0,31x + 51,4 in female skulls; that is, with the same values of intermastoidale distance, the value of intermastoid index in women is greater than that in men; male skulls with higher values of intermastoidale distance have the same values of intermastoid index as women. Conclusion. With the help of the studied indicators it is possible to quantitatively characterize the sex characteristics of the mastoids.

References

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Published

2024-01-15

How to Cite

Koltsova , L., & Stepanenko , O. (2024). Distance between the mastoid processes of the human skull: sex differences. Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 17(4), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2023.4.22-26

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2023)

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