Estimation of gender and age through the angulation formed by the pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone

Abstract

To obtain angular measurements formed from the junction of the bilateral pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone through computed tomography scans of the conical beam of the sphenoid bone, in order to correlate them with the estimation of gender and age in a human identification process. 602 computed tomography (CBCT) scans were selected – 301 males and 301 females. The tomographic images were analyzed, in low light conditions, independently the using of the free access software Radiant DICOM Viewer and, within the program, an angle calculation tool was applied on top of the axial cut in the union of the pterygoid processes medial and lateral bilaterally. The collected data were quantified in tables according to their age and gender, in addition to being statistically analyzed. There was no correlation between increasing age and the angles formed by bilateral pterygoid processes. But there is a statistically significant difference between the values of the angles between males and females on the left and right sides, t(600) = 2,6186 (p-value = 0,0091) and t(600) = 3.3593 (p- value = 0,0008), respectively. Based on our results, there are statistically significant differences between genders in relation to the angles formed by the pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone, with higher descriptive values in men with older ages.