A comprehensive morphometric analysis of crista galli for sex determination with a novel morphological classification on computed tomography images

Sex estimation with morphometric and morphological characteristics of the crista galli

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the dimensions of the crista galli (CG) in preserved skulls, and to examine the role of the morphometry and morphology of the CG on the sex estimation.

METHODS

Anteroposterior, superoinferior, and laterolateral diameters of the CG were measured of 207 preserved adult skulls of Anatolia origin with known sex (108 males, 99 females) in the Anatolian population. CG were morphologically classified into three types according to the dimensions. The success of CG dimensions in sex determination was evaluated with ROC analysis, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The relationship between morphological types of the CG and sex was analyzed with the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

The anteroposterior and superoinferior diameters of the CG significantly were longer in males than females while the laterolateral diameter of the CG was wider in females (p < 0.001). Superoposterior diameter (88.4%) of the CG showed higher sex classification accuracy for sex estimation compared to the laterolateral (82.6%) and anteroposterior diameters (80.6%). When all three parameters were used together, the sex classification accuracy rate was 94.2%. The presence of ossified and tubular types of CG identified the male sex with 85% and 74.6% accuracy rates, respectively while teardrop type CG identified female sex with a 72.2% accuracy rate.

CONCLUSION

CG exhibits sexual dimorphism both morphometrically and morphologically. The height, length, and width measurements and the morphological types of CG can be used in sex determination directly from the skull with high accuracy rates.

A computed tomography study on the olfactory fossa in dried skulls

PURPOSE

The computed tomography (CT) study investigates the olfactory fossa (OF) morphometry and morphology.

METHODS

Fifty Greek adult dried skulls were macroscopically investigated for the detection of the OF morphological patterns and after a multiplanar CT reconstruction, the OF morphometry was accurately calculated using a digital ruler.

RESULTS

Types I and II surface contour patterns were the most frequently identified (36 and 32%), followed by types III, IV, and V (16, 12, and 4%). Crista galli mean length, height, and width were 19.46 ± 2.34 mm, 12.69 ± 2.7 mm, and 5.18 ± 1.11 mm. The OF mean maximum length was 22.29 ± 2.16 mm on the right and 22.10 ± 2.44 mm on the left side, and symmetry was detected. The OF median values of the maximum depth for its anterior, middle, and posterior third were 4.91 mm, 4.72 mm, and 2.78 mm on the right and 4.55 mm, 4.75 mm, and 2.55 mm on the left side. Symmetry was observed in any third of the OF. The OF median values of the surface maximum width for the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds were 9.29 mm, 11.48 mm, and 13.07 mm. A significant gradual increase of the OF surface maximum width was detected in the anteroposterior direction in the total sample (p < 0.001), with the highest value (23.12 mm) in the posterior third. A significant (p < 0.001) very strong (r_s = -0.798) and a moderate (r_s = -0.524) negative linear correlation in the OF anterior and middle third were, respectively, identified between its maximum depth and width. No gender impact was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The study helps to familiarize with the calculation of the OF dimensions and simplifies the understanding of its complex anatomy, to reach successful surgical planning and minimize perioperative complications.