Morphometric Study of Hyoid Bone and its forensic implication

Abstract

Background: Hyoid bone, the bone of anterior neck is significant in forensic medicine as it presents the sexual dimorphism. Also, the measurement can be quick and easy. This study was conducted with the aim of finding the exact morphometry of hyoid bone and its relationship with sex and height of individual via cadaveric study so that it can aid in forensic investigation as well as archaeological studies.
 Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted on 60 hyoid bones (36 male and 24 female) in the Department of Anatomy from 2013 to 2016. Fine dissection was done to get the hyoid bone during the practical of Neck for MBBS and BDS students. The damaged, abnormal and unfused hyoid bones were excluded. Before the dissection, sex and approximate age of the cadaver was recorded. The ethical approval was taken from the department. The 12 major anthropometric measurements were taken on each hyoid bone using digital Vernier Calipers, and electronic weighing machine. The mean, standard deviation were calculated, and t-test was used as a statistical tool to compare the mean, and Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to see the association. The p-value <.05 was considered significant.
 Result: Total of 60 hyoid bones were studied in this study, out of which 36(60%) were male. The average length of all 12 major parameters of the hyoid bone were found to be significantly greater in male than in female. Moreover, the length of the cadaver (height) had significantly correlated with the
 Conclusion: All the anthropometric measurements of hyoid bone were significantly greater in males than in females. Moreover, the height of the person had strong positive correlation with the vertical breadth and transverse length of the body of hyoid bone. The anthropometrical parameters of hyoid bone can be used for forensic investigation as well as archeological studies.