WEIGHT OF CALCANEUM AND TALUS FOR DETERMINATION OF SEX

Abstract

Introduction: Talus & Calcaneum are involved in the transmission
of body weight to the ground, considerable variation in the morphological features and weight of these bones have
been reported by various authors. Objectives: To determine the importance of bone weight as a discriminative factor
in identification of sex. Material and Method: 198 calcanei and 150 tali from Anatomy department of Quaid-e-Azam
Medical College Bahawalpur were selected for the study. Mean weight of male & female bones on right & left side were
determined. To increase the efficacy of the results they were statistically reevaluated by applying ±3SD and
determining a calculated range. From this range, D.P. or demarcating points were established. Results: Bones of the
right side were found to be heavier than those of the left side; also the mean weights of the male bones were greater
than those of the female bones. On applying D.P.s it was possible to identify sex with greater accuracy than with other
metrical criteria. Conclusion: These findings suggest that weight of tarsal bones is a useful metrical feature for sex
determination.