Gender-specific differences in the anthropometric characteristics of the distal femur and proximal tibia condyles

Abstract

Background/Aim. In the course of identification, skeletal remains are used to determine the gender, age, and height of the body. The pelvic bone, skull, and femur were commonly used to determine gender; however, modern radiology tech-niques have enabled the use of other bones of the skeletal system (all long bones, scapula, clavicle, metacarpal and meta-tarsal bones, vertebras, ribs, etc.). The aim of this study was to determine whether certain anthropometric characteristics of the distal femur and proximal tibia are indicative of gender differences. Methods. The respective research has been car-ried out between 2011 and 2014 at the Institute of Pathology and Forensic Medicine and Institute of Radiology of the Mili-tary Medical Academy in Belgrade on 203 subjects (152 men and 50 women), between 11 and 63 years of age (35.50 ± 12.98). Diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imag-ing of the living persons' knees was used. Measures taken in-cluded the longest mediolateral diameter of the distal femur condyle, the mediolateral diameter of the proximal tibia con-dyle and the diameter of the proximal tibia intercondylar em-inence. Descriptive statistics and the Student's t-test were used for statistical analyses of data. Results. The mediolateral diameter of the distal femur in men was from 7.70 cm to 9.70 cm (8.80 ± 0.39 cm), and in women from 6.60 cm to 8.50 cm (7.62 ± 0.39 cm). The mediolateral diameter of the proximal tibia in men was from 7.20 cm to 9.30 cm (8.09 ± 0.38 cm), and in women from 5.90 cm to 8.00 cm (7.04 ± 0.36 cm). The mediolateral diameter of the proximal tibia intercondylar eminence in men was from 1.00 cm to 2.30 cm (1.44 ± 0.21 cm), and in women from 0.90 cm to 2.00 cm (1.33 ± 0.21 cm). The measures obtained showed a gender-specific statis-tically significant difference. Conclusion. The mediolateral diameters of the distal femur condyle, proximal tibia condyle and proximal tibia intercondylar eminence are indicative of gender-specific differences and may be used in the procedure of determining gender based on skeletal remains. © 2021 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.