Investigation of sexing accuracy of second and seventh cervical vertebras in adult Iranian population by using CT scan images

Abstract

Sexing accuracy of several metric dimensions of second and seventh cervical vertebras from CT scan images of a series of Iranian adult people were investigated. In this cross-sectional study, sexual dimorphism of 15 indexes of second cervical vertebra and 10 indexes of the seventh cervical vertebra were investigated. Indexes were obtained from CT scan images of 70 patients (35 males and 35 females) who underwent imaging for indications other than present study. Among measured dimension of second vertebra, 9 were associated with sex. Of these indexes, Maximum width of the superior Facet and Maximum height of axis were independent predictors of sex with correct sex classification of 81.4% when used in combination. Of 10 investigated indexes of the seventh vertebra, 4 were associated with sex: Length of superior facets, Length of the inferior surface of the vertebral body, Width of the inferior surface of the vertebral body and Length of spinous process. Length of the inferior surface of the vertebral body and Length of spinous process were independent sex predictors and together provided sex classification accuracy of 78.6%. We found considerable accuracy in sex classification by using metric dimensions of cervical vertebras in adult Iranian population.