Ontogenesis of the Sella Turcica among Egyptians: Forensic and Radiological Study

Introduction: The sella turcica has gained importance as a stable bony landmark in cephalometric studies. Aim of the work: The aim of the work was to explore the changes that accompany postnatal ontogeny of the sella turcica until full development, and to verify its contribution in age estimation and sexual assignment among Egyptians. Subjects and methods: Six selected measurements of the sella turcica of 215 Egyptian patients were assessed using Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT). The patients represented different ages and were referred to the Radiodiagnosis and Intervention Department. The gathered data were then subjected to statistical analysis including correlation and regression analysis. Results: The measurements of the sella showed a strong correlation with age. Three selected measurements demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism (sella width, sella height anterior and median in the subjects aged 20 to 25 years). Six regression equations were derived. The accuracy achieved by the combined parameters in the younger group (aged less than 25 years) was higher than that of the older individuals. Conclusion: The results achieved from the current study are useful tools in the determination of age and sex in both forensic and bio-archeological disciplines. However, further studies concerning the shape are strongly suggested

Reconstruction of Femur Length Using the Epiphysial and Diaphysial Diameters in Contemporary Egyptian Sample, with Application to Ancient Egyptians

Inferences in bioarchaeology and forensic contexts require mathematical stature estimation using long bone lengths. This study is in hand to identify predictors of femur length (FL) from epiphyseal and diaphysial width measurements that are not bound to assumptions of sex or laterality. Both standard and new measurements around dominant foramen nutricium (NF) were collected on modern femora (n=64) from Alexandria university unidentified skeletal Collection to compute linear regression models. Four equations were then validated on Ancient Egyptian sample (n=73) from Goldman’s Osteometric dataset to evaluate effect of sex subdivision on the prediction accuracy of FL and indirect stature estimation using Raxter’s formulae. Most of models reflected significant positive association r\u3e0.60) between width variables and FL. Oddly, the distance from proximal end to NF correlated weakly with FL (r=0.34). The stepwise selected equations preferred measurements around NF to midshaft where the anteroposterior diameter was included in proximal fragment model (r=0.77) and circumference in diaphyseal fragment model (r=0.62). Tested equations performed consistently on the ancient Egyptian sample. Measurements from femoral proximal fragment are more reliable predictors than distal fragment with the exception of femur neck diameter. However, distal epicondylar breadth is a better predictor of FL in females than in males. Indirect stature estimation showed a reasonable degree of accuracy in both sexes. These models can be applied successfully in Contemporary and Ancient Egyptians fragmentary remains however, due to larger size of femora from Old Kingdom sample, they would be most applicable to individuals from the following dynasties

Reconstruction of Femur Length Using Epiphyseal and Diaphyseal Diameters in Contemporary Egyptian Sample, with Application to Ancient Egyptians

Inferences in bioarchaeology and forensic contexts require mathematical stature estimation using long bone lengths. This study aimed to identify predictors of femur length (FL) from epiphyseal and diaphyseal width measurements that are not bound to assumptions of sex or laterality. To compute linear regression models, both standard and new measurements around the diaphyseal dominant nutrient foramina (NF) were collected on modern femora (n = 64) from the unidentified skeletal collection housed at Alexandria University. Four equations were then validated on an ancient Egyptian sample (n = 73) from the Goldman Osteometric Data Set to evaluate the effect of sex subdivision on the accuracy of FL and indirect stature estimations using Raxter’s formulas. Most of models reflected significant positive association (r \u3e 0.60) between width variables and FL. Oddly, the distance from the proximal end to the NF correlated weakly with FL (r = 0.34). The stepwise selected equations preferred measurements around NF to midshaft, with the anteroposterior diameter included in the proximal fragment model (r = 0.77), and circumference in diaphyseal fragment model (r = 0.62). Tested equations performed consistently on the ancient Egyptian sample. Measurements from the femoral proximal fragment are more reliable predictors than those from the distal fragment, with the exception of femur neck diameter. However, distal epicondylar breadth is a better predictor of FL in females than in males. Indirect stature estimation showed a reasonable degree of accuracy in both sexes. These models can be applied successfully in contemporary and ancient Egyptian fragmentary remains; however, due to larger size of femora from the Old Kingdom sample, they would be most applicable to individuals from later dynasties