Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2015 Dec;28(4):239-245. 10.11637/kjpa.2015.28.4.239.

Non-metric Study of the External Occipital Protuberance for Sex Determination in Koreans: Using Three-dimensional Reconstruction Images

• Kim DI
• Han SH

• KMID: 2150441
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2015.28.4.239

Abstract

The most essential biological profiles in physical and forensic anthropology are age, sex, and populations to be determined. In case of dealing intact skeletons, experts can often determine sex with high accuracy. The external occipital protuberance (EOP) is one of the site among morphologic traits which is used to determine human sex. This study suggests the possibility to determine the sexual dimorphism using the EOP and surrounding anatomical structures in Koreans. After three-dimensional reconstruction of the skull model from Digital Korean Human Databse, the three parts were evaluated using a classification system based on Broca, Gulekon and Turgut. To determine for scoring, this study was used two in two different ways to observe the skull model; one was a lateral view and the other was turning the skull models. In a lateral view, the shape of the occipital area was classified as 'flat' or 'convex' type. After then the scores of the anatomical structures were converted into 4-digits code. In females, the skull was more convex in shape than males but the EOP and inion were lesser projection. In the lateral and turning views, the most common pattern was Type 2 in both sexes. The most common digit code was 2-2-2-0 in males, 2-2-2-1 in females. The digit code is better than simple scoring system for determining sex. The skull in Koreans were more feminine than in other populations in both sexes.

Keyword

Skull; External occipital protuberance; Sex determination; Non-metric method; CT images

MeSH Terms

Classification
Female
Forensic Anthropology
Humans
Male
Skeleton
Skull