INTRODUCTION :
In view of certain amount of, uncertainity the sex differentiation of skull, it is thought to make out another parameter. As previous experience revealed certain amount of variants of orbital height between both sexes, it is thought that this parameter may be investigated. Hence this work.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE :
The literature of this subject is reviewed. Broca studied orbital index for race differentiation but did not mention of the sex difference. Wincler reported on the estimation of age difference through orbital index but he too did not mention sex difference. Pearson studied the orbital index of males but did not observe on the females. This work aims to study the sex differentiation with the help of orbital index.
MATERIAL AND METHODS :
For this work, the orbital measurements of 96 male and 62 female adult Cadavers were taken. The instrument used is a sliding calipers.
The dead bodies belong to the anatomy, and forensic medicine kept in mortuary. Not much destruction is made to the bodies while taking the measurements.
Orbital height : It measures the straight distance between the upper and lower margins of the orbital cavity, taken at right angle to the orbital breadth.
Orbital breadth : It measures the straight distance between maxillo frontal (mf) and ecto conchion (ecto, Ecto conchion (ect) must be marked before the measurement. The diameter should out the orbital cavity in almost to equal halves.
Care has been taken while selecting the specimens that there are no deformaties or diseases of the orbits present.
The age of the individuals are also noted.
After taking the measurements, they have been studied in a statistical data in sex wise and age wise groups. All the results have been tabulated and graphically represented. The values obtained are critically studied. Conclusions and recommendations were made on the results this obtained.
OBSERVATION :
The average orbital breadth of males and females was found to be 33.15 and 33.83mm respectively. The average orbital height of males and females was found to be 26.45 and 30.06mm respectively. This difference of orbital height in statistically found to be significant (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION :
It has been observed that an orbital index of 89 and above conclusively proves a female sex without any error. An orbital index of 85 to 88 is conclusive proof of a female sex with a nominal range of error of 1%. An orbital index of 73 and below is conclusively to be that of a male with-out any error. These conclusions have been found to be statistically highly significant.
LIMITATIONS :
The limitations of this work may be (a) a small sample – segregated geographical distribution and (b) little more probable error for dry bones.
SUGGESTIONS :
It is suggested that a bigger sample may be taken, the work may be continued at different geographical areas and on dry bones.
This study has brought out a simple, easy and clear parameter for conclusive sex differentiation of skull
