Lateral angle

A method for sexing using the petrous bone

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8312815
AutoresAnna Norén (University of Copenhagen), Niels Lynnerup (0000-0002-7771-5376, University of Copenhagen, autor de correspondencia), Alfred Czarnetzki (University of Tübingen), Matthias Graw (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)
Año2005
Volumen128
Número2
Páginas318-323
Fecha de publicación2005-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.20245
PMID15795892
OpenAlexW2058195387
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas16
Referencias citadas7

We report on the results of applying the so-called lateral angle method for sex determination on skeletal remains. The lateral angle denotes the angle of the internal auditory canal in relation to the medial surface of the petrous part of the temporal bone. The method involves making a small cast of the proximal part of the internal acoustic canal and determining the angle at which the canal opens up to the surface of the petrous bone. The method has the great advantage of utilizing one of the sturdiest bone elements of the human skeleton, and may thus be especially suited for analyses of very fragmented skeletal remains or cremated bones, where the petrous bone may still be readily recognizable. The method was tested using a forensic sample of 113 petrous bones with known sex. Intra- and interobserver testing was also performed. We found a statistically significant difference in angle size between males and females (mean angle size of males, 39.3 degrees ; mean angle size of females, 48.2 degrees ; P < 0.001). There was no bilateral difference in angle size. In blind trials, 83.2% of petrous bones were assigned to the correct sex. We also tested the lateral angle method against an archaeological skeletal sample. True sex was not known for this sample; instead, sexing had been carried out by assessing pelvic and cranial morphology in independent trials. We found a higher concordance between the lateral angle and "pelvic" sex than for lateral angle and "cranial" sex. Finally, we note that subadult sexing may also be possible with this method

Biology · Human skeleton · Petrous bone · Sexing · Temporal bone · Anatomy · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Marine animal studies overview · Medicine · Orthodontics