Anatomical Sciences Journal
Volume:11 Issue: 3, Summer 2014

Cephalometry is an efficient tool for anthropometric studies. This study sought to assess facial dimensions and types of adults residing in Qazvin (Iran) and Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan (Pakistan). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 300 ethnic populations of Qazvin and 365 ethnic populations of DG Khan aged between 18-55 years were randomly selected and evaluated. The subjects had no maxillofacial deformities or history of head/facial trauma. Facial height and breadth, nasion-prosthion height, upper facial index, total facial index, facial type and profile were evaluated in subjects. The difference in total facial index between males of Qazvin and DG Khan was statistically significant (P<0.005). This index was significantly different between Qazvin and DG Khan females as well (P<0.005). The mean upper facial index was greater in Qazvin males and females compared to DG Khan and the difference in this respect between males of the two locations was statistically significant (P=0.006). The most and the least common facial types in Qazvin were hyperleptoprosopic and euriprosopic types, respectively; whereas, leptoprosopic and mesoprosopic types were the dominant facial types among males and females of DG Khan; hypereuryprosopic face was rare in both genders. Orthognathic profile was the dominant facial profile in Qazvin and DG Khan while the least common profile in both locations was prognathic profile. Based on the obtained results, facial index in both genders residing in Qazvin was significantly greater than that those residing in other countries and this may be due to the long facial height and narrow facial breadth in this area.

The brachial plexus is responsible for the innervation to the upper limb and some parts of the thorax. Variations in the branching of the brachial plexus are common and have been reported in 65.3% of the population. The variations (Atypical communication) of brachial plexus have significant clinical and surgical importance. In this study 10 upper limbs which belonged to 5 adult human cadavers of known sex are used. In the present study, three cases (in two cadavers) of 10 cases (in five cadavers) have connections between the musculocutaneous and median nerve and seven cases are normal. Knowledge about the connections between the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve could be very useful in surgical operations on the humerus bone and shoulder joint. So, the more information we could collect about these structures and their variations, the safer the surgical operations could be done.

Brain weight and cranial capacity are important parameters in the study of racial/ ethnic differences. This study was done to determine the effect of ethnicity on the female’s brain weight in Northern Iran. Brain weight was estimated using linear (Lee–Pearson’s) formula in 410 normal 17–20 year old (207 native Fars and 203 Turkman) females in northern Iran. Dimensions of the head measured with spreading caliper and auricular head spanner. The mean±SD of brain weight in native Fars and Turkmen females were 1258.33±130 and 1270.17±124 grams and 1215, respectively. This study showed that Brain weight in Turkmen’s was higher than native Fars females.

In order to make a dimensional proportion between human and equipment or environment, anthropometric data bank is essential. Anthropometry has an important role in industrial management and ergonomic design. This information is needed to be collected regularly in every society. The purpose of this study was to determine arm length to height ratio according to gender in adults, between ages 19-21 in students of Medical Sciences, Tehran. This cross-sectional investigation was performed on 100 students (50 males and 50 females) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (aged 19-21 years). Participants were selected randomly and they didn’t have any physical deformities or any previous history of trauma. Standing height (stature) and upper arm length (UAL) were measured for each subject. Measurements were performed in standard position. The mean age of cases was 21±1.32 years. Mean age of male cases was 20±1.2 years and female cases was 21±1.81 years and there wasn’t significant difference in the age of sex groups (P=0.219). A significant differences were observed in the height between the two sexes (P=0.0001, and Table 1). Also, there was a significant difference in the upper arm length of sex groups (P=0.0001). In addition, there was a correlation between height and upper arm length of cases (r =0.716, P=0.0001). According to the results, UAL can be a reliable factor for predicting the stature in Iranian medical students.

Height is an important biological human characteristic in anthropological studies and forensic medicine. In this way, forearm length (FAL) can be a useful factor for the height prediction in different population. The goal of this study was to find the relation between FAL and height in natives of Kerman. In a cross-sectional study, 150 cases including 75 males and 75 females (aged 18 to 22 years) of Kermanian population were randomly selected. In all cases height and left forearm were measured in standard positions. For finding the relation between FAL and the height, linear regression analysis was used. The mean age of subjects was 20.21±2.21 years and there wasn’t a significant difference in the age of sex groups (P=0.211). There was a significant difference in the height of cases between two sex groups (P=0.0001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the FAL of sex groups (P=0.0001). In addition, there was a correlation between height and FAL of cases (r=0.801, P=0.0001). There was a correlation between height and FAL of male cases (r=0.668, P=0.002) and female cases (r=0.6, P=0.0001). According to the results, FAL was a suitable factor for height estimation. In addition, this factor is a moderate predictor of height in native males and females of Kerman.

Size of axillary lymph nodes can be a predictor for breast abnormalities. The agents in the antiperspirants such as Aluminum were observed in the breast biopsy of individual with abnormalities and antiperspirants usage. In this study, the relation between using antiperspirants and the size of axillary lymph nodes were evaluated in Iranian women. In this study, 120 women were enrolled and asked for using the antiperspirant agents. Then ultrasound and mammography were taken from these cases and axillary lymph nodes were measured in both sides. Then, the sizes were compared in the cases with regular use of antiperspirants and without use of these agents. In the present study, 120 normal women were studied. Mean age of sample group was 38.02 and all samples were female. Seventy eight cases (65%) used antiperspirant agents as usual and 42 cases (35%) did not. There were no significant differences between age, right and left nodes size of the cases with and without the use of antiperspirant agents (P≤0.05). The results confirmed that size index is not a sufficient factor for malignancy and using antiperspirant wasn’t producing abnormal statue in axillary lymph nodes and node with large size wasn’t from lymphadenopathy or malignancy in Iranian women.

Estimation of stature is one of the most important fields in forensic medicine. Also it is of particular interest to anthropologists and anatomist. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between stature and the length of lower limb and foot to derive a regression formula for estimating the stature. Three anthropometric measurements; Stature, Lower Limb Length (LLL) and Foot Length (FL) were taken on the subjects, comprising 142 male students (18-25 years) using standard measuring instruments. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Then linear regression models were used to estimate stature. The results indicated a positive correlation between stature and lower limb and foot measurements. The correlation coefficient with lower limb length was r=0.89 & P=0.0001 and with foot length was r=0.78 & P=0.0001. There was a significant correlation between stature and lower limb and foot length. As the regression analysis showed, the Lower Limb Length provides better prediction of stature rather than Foot length measurements.

Atypical connections in the formation of the brachial plexus are prevalent and have been reported in different articles. The present report describes a case of variation of the median nerve observed in the Iranian male cadaver during routine trial dissection. There are three roots for median nerve. Median nerve is formed by joining two lateral and medial cords of brachial plexus. Third root of median nerve which is carried by musculocutaneous nerve 3 cm of coracobrachialis muscle and then it is separated from musculocutaneous nerve but instead of joining median nerve, it pierces coracobrachialis muscle and outs from a place near entrance point and joins median nerve in middle arm and normally passes the rest of its passage. It is important for medical staff to be aware of this variation while planning a surgery in the region of axilla or arm, as these nerves are more susceptible to be injured during operations.