Amorphometric study of condyloid process of dry human mandible for sexing from its shape

Abstract

The mandible is having the condyloid process which articulates with the temporal fossa to form the temporomandibular joint, on which all the movements occur during the eating, chewing and even on talking also. It is having the articular facet on its head. This articulating facet is having different shapes and sizes which varies according to sex also. The shapes of condyloid processes are classified into four types i.e. convex, flat, rounded and angular. The size of the articular facet varies mandible to mandible and male to female. In the present study120 condyloid processes are studied and different shapes found were convex (55%), flat (20%), rounded (12.50%) and angled (12.50%). To measure the size of articular facet of the condyloid process of the mandible antero-posterior(AP) dimension from the anterior and posterior margins of the articular facet and medio-lateral(ML) dimension from the medial and lateral margins of the facets are taken with the help of vernier calliper. The mean of(AP) dimension of right and left condyles in male found to be (7.23±1.123)mm and (6.50±0.805)mm in females. The mean of medio-lateral dimension in male is (20.13±1.260)mm and in female it is (17.23±1.74)mm. As there is a difference in the size of condyloid process of male and female so the measurements are also helpful in determining the sex of the mandible. The present study is helpful for forensic dentistry, forensic medicine, orodental surgeons, traumatologists and plastic surgeons in the determination of sex of the mandible through the condyloid process of mandible and diagnosis and treatment of the patients.