J Indian Acad Forensic Med. October-December 2012, Vol. 34, No.

4 ISSN 0971-0973

Original Research Paper

The Anthropometric Measurements of Tibia

*Pradeep Bokariya, *Bharat Sontakke, **JE Waghmare, **Aaditya Tarnekar, ***BH Tirpude,
***MR Shende

Abstract
Anthropometry provides scientific method and technique for taking various measurements in
different geographic regions and races. The Tibia itself is a complex anatomic unit so anthropometric
study was devised on the same. In the present study 60 (26 right and 34 left) intact adult tibia were
obtained from the bone bank of Anatomy Department of MGIMS, Sevagram. For this purpose a digital
vernier caliper, osteometric board and measuring tape were used.
The study was aimed at determining measurements for obtaining Cross-Section Index in middle,
Cnemicus Index and Length-Thickness Index for both right and left Tibia. The details of data obtained
with relevant review of literature will be discussed. The mean of Cross Sectional index for Right tibias was
102.90 22.78. Similarly mean of Cross Sectional index for left tibias was 124.31 25.06. The mean of
Cnemicus Index for Right tibias was 66.17 10.68 and for left side these values came out to be 67.31
7.35. These are not statistically significant. The mean of Length-Thickness Index were 24.21 0.96 and
24.43 1.78 for right and left Tibias respectively.

Key Words: Anthropometry, Tibia, Cross-Section Index in middle, Cnemicus Index, length-Thickness
Index

Introduction:
Anthropometry is a series of
systematized measuring techniques that express
quantitatively the dimensions of the human body
and the skeleton. Anthropometry is often viewed
as a traditional and perhaps the basic tool of
biological anthropology, but it has a long
tradition of being used in forensic sciences and
in medical sciences especially in the discipline of
Forensic Medicine.
It is highly objective and reliable in the
hands of trained anthropometrists. The
significance and importance of somatometry,
cephalometry, craniometry and osteometry in
the identification of human remains have been
described and a new term of 'Forensic
Anthropometry' is coined. Some of the recent
studies which employ various techniques of
anthropometry are discussed. The ultimate aim
of using anthropometry in Forensic
Medicine/Science is to help the law enforcement
agencies in achieving 'personal identity' in case
. Bone/Maximum Diameter in middle of
of unknown human remains [1]
Corresponding Author:
*Assistant Professor, Dept. of Anatomy
MGIMS, Sevagram, 442102
E-mail: pradeepbokariya@rediffmail.com
*Assist. Prof, **Assoc. Prof
***Prof. & Head, Dept. of FMT
***Prof. & Head, Dept of Anatomy
DOR: 01.08.12 DOA: 09.08.12
Objectives:
To evaluate the morphometry of dried tibia
of central Indian population;
To use the obtained osteometric data to
estimate the bilateral differences between
the right and the left bones.
Materials and Methods:
In this study, 60 (26 right and 34 left)
intact human adult tibia were obtained from the
bone bank of the Anatomy Department, MGIMS
Sevagram. In the study, a total of 07 parametric
variables were obtained from the shaft of the
Tibia according to standard anthropometrical
method. [2, 3] The number of nutrient foramina
for Tibia on both sides was also noted.
Instruments Used for the study are Digital
Vernier Caliper, Osteometric Board, Measuring
Tape.
Formulae Utilized:
Cross-Section Index in Middle=
(Transverse diameter in middle of
Bone) X 100
In this formula Transverse diameter in
middle of Bone is calculated as straight distance
from the medial tibial border to the interosseous
crest at the level of nutrient foramen. Maximum
Diameter in middle of Bone measures the
straight distance of anterior crest from the
posterior surface in the middle of the bone.

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J Indian Acad Forensic Med. October-December 2012, Vol. 34, No. 4
Cnemicus Index= (Transverse Diameter
at level of Nutrient Foramen/ Sagittal
Diameter at level of Nutrient Foramen)
X100
Transverse Diameter at level of Nutrient
Foramen is straight distance from the medial
border to the interosseous crest at the level of
nutrient foramen. Sagittal Diameter at level of
Nutrient Foramen measures straight distance of
anterior crest from the posterior surface at the
level of nutrient foramen.
Length - Thickness Index = (Maximum
Girth of shaft/Total length of Tibia) X100
Where Maximum Girth of shaft is maximum
circumference of shaft wherever found. Total
length of Tibia measures straight distance from
the cranial articular surface to the fibular condyle
of Tibia i.e. lateral condyle to the tip of medial
malleolus.
Results:
The data obtained in this study has
shown remarkable difference between Right and
left tibias. Only one Right tibia possesses two
nutrient foramina else whole of the tibias studied
were having single nutrient foramina. The mean
values of various parameters were shown in
Table 1. The mean of Cross Sectional index for
Right tibias was 102.90 22.78. Similarly mean
of Cross Sectional index for left tibias was
124.31 25.06. On applying statistical analysis (t
test) on it came out to be p <0.05 (0.029) which
is statistically significant.
The mean of Cnemicus Index for Right tibias
was 66.17 10.68 and for left side these values
came out to be 67.31 7.35. These are not
statistically significant.
The mean of Length - Thickness Index were
24.21 0.96 and 24.43 1.78 for right and left
Tibias respectively. This too was not significant
statistically.
Discussion:
The presence of single nutrient foramen
throughout the samples studied (except one) is
remarkable difference compared to other long
Table 1
Various Parameters obtained from the Present Study
S.N Parameters
1 Transverse diameter in middle of Bone
2 Maximum Diameter in middle of Bone
3 Transverse Diameter at level of Nutrient Foramen
4 Sagittal Diameter at level of Nutrient Foramen
5 Maximum Girth of shaft
6 Total length of Tibia
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ISSN 0971-0973
bones of human body. [4, 5] The values of
various indices calculated shows remarkable
difference with that of humerus and femur. [5, 6]
This is of immense point of utility for medico-
legal aspect where sometimes identity is to
establish from part of bone only. [7, 8]
The discrepancies could be a result of factors
such as age, sex, race and also environmental
factors affecting bone growth, such as nutrition,
physical development and genetic factors.
Conclusion:
The knowledge of the morphometric
values of tibia segments is important in forensic,
anatomic and archeological cases in order to
identify unknown bodies and stature. Therefore
our study supplies the mean values of the
different morphometric measurements from the
tibia. As a result, these measurements may help
to indicate the characteristic morphological
features of tibial segments in our population and
also help the orthopedic surgeon to place the
various implants in the reconstruction of tibial
fractures. Presence of single foramen
throughout our study, place the tibia separately
from other long bone of human.
References:
1. Krishan K. Anthropometry in Forensic Medicine and Forensic
Science- Forensic Anthropometry. The Internet Journal of Forensic
Science. 2007 Volume 2 Number 1
2. Singh IP, Bhasin MK. A manual of Biological Anthropology. 1st ed,
Kamla Raj Enterprices.1970.
3. Strecker W, Keppler P, Gebhard F, Kinzl L. Length and torsion of
the lower limb. Br J Bone Joint Surg 1997, 79: 1019 - 23.
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diaphyseal nutrient foramina in human long bones. Acta Anat
(Basel). 1980;107(4):399-406
5. Bokariya P, Bokariya R , Gudadhe D , Shyamal A, Tirpude BH,
Shende MR. The Anthropometric Measurement of Humerus
Segments. Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 2011; 28(1):
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IV. Bilateral Variation in Various Indices of Femur. Indian Journal of
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parts. Forensic Sci Int 2003; 3501: 1- 6.
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amongst Oriya population Forensic Science International 98 (1998)
137141
Right Mean SD Left Mean SD
18.21 3.87 18.892.23
17.86 1.74 15.85 2.82
18.193.87 18.862.20
27.51 2.78 28.262.29
90.01 7.23 92.526.14
371.3023.20 379.4118.90