Significance of Head Length in Estimation of Stature in Healthy Individuals of Central India

Abstract

Introduction: The estimation of height from head length has attracted many earlier workers to derive a formula but no significant formula has yet been derived. Also there is scanty data pertaining to regional variations in the published literature. Height, like other phenotypic traits, is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is sexually dimorphic and statistically more or less normally distributed. Length and circumference of skull is thought to be a useful parameter to estimate stature of an individual. Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between personal stature and head length among a group of male and female Central Indian adults and to derive a regression formula between the head length and height of an individual. Materials and Method: The subjects consist of 391 medical students from various colleges in central Indian population (Vidarbha region of Maharashtra) ranging between 18 to 22 years of age of similar socio economic status. The length of head and the height of the subject were measured with using standard anthropometric instruments in anatomical position. Measurements were taken at fixed time to avoid diurnal variation and were carried out by a single person to eliminate the personal factor. The result obtained was analyzed and attempt was made to derive a formula between head length and the total height of an individual. Results: The differences of the head length between the genders were found to be highly significant. A positive correlation between height and head length was observed in both sexes and it was statistically significant. Regression equation for stature estimation was formulated using the head lengths for both sexes. Conclusion: The results indicate that head length provides an accurate and reliable means in estimating the stature of an unknown individual. The regression formula derived in this study will be useful for anatomists, archeologists, anthropologists and forensic scientists.