Estimation of sex and assessment of age based on morphological variations of the atlas vertebra (C1) using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A retrospective study

Thounaojam Sushma Devi; Kumuda Rao; Vidya Ajila; Bidisha Mullick

doi:10.18778/1898-6773.89.2.05

Authors

Thounaojam Sushma Devi Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mangalore, India https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7885-9910
Kumuda Rao Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mangalore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6214-1381
Vidya Ajila Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mangalore, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-9322
Bidisha Mullick Nitte (Deemed to be University), AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mangalore, India https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6375-9926

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.89.2.05

Keywords:

forensic identification, forensic anthropology, morphometrics, vertebral morphology

Abstract

Background
The atlas (C1) vertebra joins the cervical column to the cranial base and differs anatomically from other cervical vertebrae. Skeletal analysis may provide the only way to assess biological sex and age in poorly preserved and decomposed remains to estimate their biological profile. It is thus essential that methods are devised that allow such estimates from a wide range of bones.
Aim
This study applies Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to evaluate whether the C1 vertebrae can be used in estimating age and sex.
Materials and Methods
CBCT of 61 male and 61 female subjects from South India with an age range of 20-60 years were included in the study, and C1 vertebrae were measured using axial and coronal sections. Data were analysed to gen¬erate an equation to predict age according to independent variables using linear regression, while discrimi¬nant analysis was used to derive an equation that classifies the values into either biological sex.
Results
Male subjects showed higher maximum anteroposterior diameter, maximum transverse diameter, and the distance between the base of the skull and the anterior tubercle than females (p=0.001). The highest standard error for males was observed in the maximum anteroposterior diameter. The base of the skull to the anterior tubercle had the highest standard error among female subjects. The base of skull to posteriori tubercle had the lowest standard error for males, while the angulation from the transverse to the anterior tubercle had the least standard error for females. The accuracy of sex classification was 89.3%. How¬ever, parameters did not demonstrate sufficient reliability for age estimation.
Conclusion
The presented parameters may be used for sex determination in forensic identification and other medico-legal practices. In contrast, these parameters are not reliable for age estimation in our sample.

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