Foramen magnum as a tool for sexual dimorphism: A cone beam computed tomography study.

Abstract

(1) To evaluate dimensions of the foramen magnum (FM) among males and females and to establish its role in sexual dimorphism using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). (2) To evaluate sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, area, and circumference of FM among males and females. Two hundred and eighty CBCT scans (140 males and 140 females; age range, 20-80 years) were selected for this study. The sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, area, and circumference of FM were measured, and data were subjected to discriminant analysis for the evaluation of sexual dimorphism. The area of FM was the best discriminant parameter which is used to study the sexual dimorphism with an overall accuracy of 72%. It can be concluded that the reconstructed CBCT image provides valuable measurements for the FM and could be used for sexing even when other methods are inconclusive.