Estimation of Ulna Length from its Morphometry in a South West Nigerian Population

Identification of human remains is of high importance in forensic investigation. Estimation of stature is usually based on the mesurement of long bones like femur, tibia, fibular, humerus, ulna and radius which has a particular ratio in the stature of an individual. Since stature estimation is population dependent, this report describe the estimation of stature from ulna in south west Nigeria population. The distance between the anterior-most point on the tip of trochlear notch superiorly and tip of the coronoid process inferiorly (AB). The distance between the superior-most point on the olecranon and anterior-most point on the coronoid process of the ulna in the trochlear notch (CB). Tthe difference between AB andCB (AC). The distance between the tips of the olecranon process posteriorly to the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch inferiorly (EB). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to the tip of the olecranon process posteriorly (AE). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the anterior-most point on the olecranon process toa point on the posterior aspect of the ulna (AD). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the tip of coronoid process of ulna to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna (BF) The distance between the anterior and posterior ends of the radial notch (GH). The distance along the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna from the posterior-most point on the trochlear notch to a point on posterior aspect of the ulna (IJ). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through the anteriormost point on the trochlear notch inferiorly (AF). The distance between the tip of the olecranon process posteriorly and the anterior- most point on the radial notch distally (EG). The distance between the tips of the olecranon process posteriorly to the posterior-most point on the radial notch distally (EH). The distance between the anterior-most point on the trochlear notch superiorly to a point in the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through the posterior-most point of the trochlear notch (AJ). The distance between superior-most point on the olecranon process to a point on the posterior aspect of the ulna where the perpendicular to the long axis of the ulna passes through on the coronoid process (CF). Anterior posterior (dorsal-volar) diameter as the maximum diameter of the diaphysis where the crest exhibits the greatest protrusion in the anterior-posterior (doso-volar) plane (MC). Mediallateral (transverse) diameter as the distance between medial and lateral surfaces at the level of greatest crest protrusion, taken perpendicular to anterior posterior diameter (APD) were achieved using digital venire caliper. The minimum circumference as the least circumference near the distal end of the bone (MLD) was measured using an anthropometric tape while the maximum length of ulna as the distance from the most superior point on the olecranon to the most inferior point on the styloid process (ML) was measured using anthropometric board. Pearson correlation and Persian regression were used to derive the liner regression equations for the measured parameters that showed correlation with the length of ulna. Dimension GH, IJ and MLD were the best dimension for predicting the length of ulna, dimension CF was the best for right and dimension GH and MC were best dimension for predicting the length of ulna for both sides (irrespective of the side). This finding is a preliminary step in predicting the stature of an individual in South West Nigerian population and may become a potential tool for anatomist, forensic anthropologist and archeological investigation for the identification of unknown body remains using the regression equation within this population.

Key Words: Morphometry, Nigeria, ulnar length, regression