Gonial angle and ramus height as sex determinants: A radiographic pilot study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify sexual dimorphism using the measurement of two mandibular parameters, namely gonial angle and ramus height, using panoramic radiography and the application of the same in forensic studies. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 panoramic radiographs were selected from the archives of the Department of Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College and Hospital, Mangalore. The parameters assessed were gonial angle and ramus height. They were measured in the panoramic radiographs using Agfa-NX software for each subject. The mean values were calculated and compared between male and female subjects using a paired samples test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results of the study showed that males had higher values for the parameters compared to females. Gonial angle was recorded higher in males than females, but the difference was not statistically significant. Ramus height showed a statistically significant increase in males when compared to females, and the right side showed higher significance compared to the left. Conclusion: Sexual dimorphism can be assessed using the gonial angle and ramus height. This finding has a potential application in the use of sex identification in forensic and anthropological studies.