Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: July | Volume: 12 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 241-245
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220735
Biometrics of the External Ear of the Ijaws in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Ogoun T.R.
Department of Human Anatomy, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Aim: Ear biometrics is key to evaluating various ear deformities, acquire syndromes and reconstructive surgery. This study was aimed at assessing the normative value of the external ear of the Ijaws in Bayelsa State.
Study Design: This is a cross sectional study of 570 subjects [290 male and 280 females] between the ages of 18-45yeras, were recruited for this study.
Method: The anatomical landmarks used for ear biometrics of both sides were
[1].Total Ear Length [TEL]: Uppermost point of the pinna to the lowermost point of lobule
[2] Ear Breadth [EB]:Measured distance from root of the ear to maximum convexity of the helix. [3] Ear Index [EI] was calculated by dividing ear breadth /ear length multiply by 100.
RESULTS: The results showed that the mean male right total ear length and breadth are 60.27±0.90 and 34.57±0.77, the left total ear length and breadth are 60.59±1.24 and 34.91±1.13 with right and left ear indices as 57.68±1.42 and 57.76±1.00 . The mean female right total ear length and breadth are 7.62±0.87 and 30.36±0.77, while the female left total ear length and breadth are 56.93±0.94 and 31.79±0.57 with right and left ear indices as 52.66±1.17 and 55.97±0.89 respectively. The findings showed no significant difference between the male right and left total ear length and breadth, female right and left total ear length and breadth. The Ijaw male right total ear length and breadth tend to be higher than the female counterparts (p<0.05). More so, the Ijaw males possess higher left total ear length and breadth than their females (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Ear biometrics are useful diagnostic tools for congenital malformations, acquired deformities, treatment planning and forensic studies because of the high level of sexual dimorphism.
Key words: Biometrics, Ear index, Sexual Dimorphism..