Mitchell, Brittany

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ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University

Sexual Dimorphism in First Maxillary and Mandibular Molar of Humans Author: Brittany Mitchell Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Frank Williams, Department of Anthropology  Introduction:  Sexual dimorphism is an indicator of gender differences that can be observed in several aspects of the human skeleton, such as the pelvis, cranium, femur, humerus, canines, and other structures.  The purpose of this study was to indicate whether sexual dimorphism also exists in the first maxillary and mandibular molar of humans.   Method:  In this study, the mesiodistal (the distance of the tooth’s surface pointed towards the anterior and posterior of the mouth) and buccolingual (the distance of the tooth’s surface direct towards the cheek to the tongue) measurement on the first maxillary and mandibular molars of a sample of humans from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were measured using digital calipers to identify whether sexual dimorphism exists in these dimensions.  A total of 56 individuals were measured, including 31 males and 25 females.  The right side was preferred unless it was damaged or missing and t-tests were utilized to identify significant differences. Results: Only the buccolingual measurements differed significantly between males and females (p = 0.008 for the maxilla; p = 0.001 for the mandible).  When the product of mesiodistal and buccolingual measurements was obtained, only the mandible showed significant differences between the sexes (p = 0.018).  Females have smaller first molar dimensions than males by approximately 10% corroborating previous studies of sexual dimorphism of the first molar. Conclusion:  The results of the study indicated only a significant gender difference in the buccolingual measurements of the first molar in the mandible.  Females have smaller first molars in the mandible compared to males.  Investigators can use this method to help signify gender of a human skeleton.  This work is important because of its utility in assisting crime scene investigation by identifying the sex characteristics of unknown individuals at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.   Acknowledgement: It is with much gratitude to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for allowing me to conduct my research at their facility.  Without their professional help and cooperation this research could not have been completed. 

Sexual Dimorphism in First Maxillary and Mandibular Molar of Humans

Georgia State University

Sexual Dimorphism in First Maxillary and Mandibular Molar of Humans 
Author: Brittany Mitchell 
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Frank Williams, Department of Anthropology 
 
Introduction:  Sexual dimorphism is an indicator of gender differences that can be observed in several 
aspects of the human skeleton, such as the pelvis, cranium, femur, humerus, canines, and other structures.  
The purpose of this study was to indicate whether sexual dimorphism also exists in the first maxillary and 
mandibular molar of humans.   
Method:  In this study, the mesiodistal (the distance of the tooth’s surface pointed towards the anterior 
and posterior of the mouth) and buccolingual (the distance of the tooth’s surface direct towards the cheek 
to the tongue) measurement on the first maxillary and mandibular molars of a sample of humans from the 
Georgia Bureau of Investigation were measured using digital calipers to identify whether sexual 
dimorphism exists in these dimensions.  A total of 56 individuals were measured, including 31 males and 
25 females.  The right side was preferred unless it was damaged or missing and t-tests were utilized to 
identify significant differences. 
Results: Only the buccolingual measurements differed significantly between males and females (p = 
0.008 for the maxilla; p = 0.001 for the mandible).  When the product of mesiodistal and buccolingual 
measurements was obtained, only the mandible showed significant differences between the sexes (p = 
0.018).  Females have smaller first molar dimensions than males by approximately 10% corroborating 
previous studies of sexual dimorphism of the first molar. 
Conclusion:  The results of the study indicated only a significant gender difference in the buccolingual 
measurements of the first molar in the mandible.  Females have smaller first molars in the mandible 
compared to males.  Investigators can use this method to help signify gender of a human skeleton.  This 
work is important because of its utility in assisting crime scene investigation by identifying the sex 
characteristics of unknown individuals at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.   
Acknowledgement: It is with much gratitude to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for allowing me to 
conduct my research at their facility.  Without their professional help and cooperation this research could 
not have been completed. 


https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1191&amp;context=gsurc

Sexual Dimorphism in First Maxillary and Mandibular Molar of Humans

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