Sexual dimorphism in the mandibles of a homogenius black population of Tanzania

Authors

F. M. Fabian, Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65482, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
R. Mpembeni, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65015, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

Mandibles of known age and gender from cadavers of Tanzanian Bantu population were studied to determine if the human mandible could be sexually dimorphic in a homogenous population. All mandibles were measured using electronic two-digit millimetre veneer calliper. All of the male (100%) and 96% of the female mandibles were positively sexed. The present study indicates that the mandible of the Tanzanian Bantu population possesses metric parameters that make it sexually dimorphic. More studies, involving other Tanzanian groups, might reveal racial or ethnic differences based on mandibular morphometrics.

Recommended Citation

Fabian, F. M. and Mpembeni, R. (2002) "Sexual dimorphism in the mandibles of a homogenius black population of Tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 28: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.2081