Gender Related Patterns In The Shape And Dimensions Of The Foramen Magnum In An Adult Kenyan Population
Abstract
Foramen magnum is a useful landmark in the base of the skull. Its shape and dimensions show
ethnic and gender differences. This data is useful in forensic medicine and anthropology but are
unknown among Kenyans. Two hundred and two dry adult skulls from the Osteology
Department at the National Museums of Kenya, were studied. The shape of the foramen
magnum was oval, circular and polygonal in 13%, 24% and 63% of the cases respectively. The
foramen magnum does not show sexual dimorphism in shape among Africans. The shape of
foramen magnum cannot be used in solitude to ascertain the gender of skulls.
Key words: Foramen magnum, variations
URI
http://www.anatomyafrica.com/vol2issue2/loyal.pdfhttp://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/37428
Citation
Loyal P, Ongeti K, Pulei A, Mandela P, Ogeng’o J; 2013. Gender Related Patterns In The Shape And Dimensions Of The Foramen Magnum In An Adult Kenyan Population. Anatomy Journal of Africa. 2(2):138–141.Publisher
University of Nairobi Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10418]